11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are SLOW TO LEARN. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Hebrews 11
We want to look at the Word, ‘SLOW’ today, both in positive and negative terms. I’ve quoted the verses above because I read them earlier this morning. We needn’t get stuck on them because one of the following verses tells us that it’s possible to get understanding as we apply ourselves.
14 But solid food is for the mature, who BY CONSTANT USE HAVE TRAINED THEMSELVES TO DISTINGUISH GOOD FROM EVIL. Hebrews 5
God is SLOW in many ways when He’s dealing with the people on the earth and HIS SLOWNESS IS AN EXPRESSION OF HIS MERCY!
15 But you, O LORD, ARE A COMPASSIONATE AND GRACIOUS GOD,
SLOW TO ANGER, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86
and again in Psalm 103,
8 THE LORD IS COMPASSIONATE AND GRACIOUS,
SLOW TO ANGER, ABOUNDING IN LOVE.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbour his anger forever;
Finally Psalm 145
8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
SLOW TO ANGER AND RICH IN LOVE.
9 The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
I realise that the verses in the above psalms may be repetitive but sometimes it’s good to remind ourselves of the nature of the God we serve, so different to the people and ways of the world we live in. This same character and nature of the Lord are supposed to be forming in us, His Children! (Joel 2:13 and Jonah 4:3 also speak of God’s compassion and reluctance to send calamity on any.)
Perhaps in the interests of balance we should add one scripture from Nahum 1,
3 THE LORD IS SLOW TO ANGER BUT GREAT IN POWER;
THE LORD WILL NOT LEAVE THE GUILTY UNPUNISHED.
What ways do the scriptures speak to us as believers regarding SLOWNESS?
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and HOW SLOW TO BELIEVE all that the prophets have spoken! Luke 24:24
Jesus was exasperated at times with the disciples unbelief, God wants and needs us to trust Him, so He can move on our behalf!
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK AND SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness life that God desires. James 1
James tells us we should be quick to do one thing, ‘Listen’, but SLOW to do two things, ‘Speak and Become Angry’. God can give us grace not to overreact, stay calm and treat others as God treats us.
9 THE LORD IS NOT SLOW in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. INSTEAD HE IS PATIENT WITH YOU, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3
God is a PATIENT God (the old translation was long suffering). God give us grace to be merciful in the difficult situations we face in our lives. Help us to be more like Jesus and not wound others by harsh words or actions today.
The Lord bless and keep you. Immanuel, God is with us.