Reading: “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”— Colossians 1:11 

Whenever we think of great displays of strength we rarely think of patience. Yet Scripture teaches us that patience requires remarkable strength. Proverbs 16:32: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Equally demanding is long-suffering. Long-suffering is patience under assault or provocation.

In this prayer, the apostle takes notice of the hardest of all duties and thereby argues from the greater to the lesser: “unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”

We need patience to

  1. Bring forth fruit.
  2. Run the race set before us.
  3. Bear all afflictions and tribulations.
  4. Wait for the things promised by God.
  5. Wait for the coming and appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As if patience and long-suffering are not taxing enough upon our feeble resources, notice Paul prays a step further: “with joyfulness.” This requires strength above that of nature. Let us pray for patience, longsuffering, and joy in the many of the trials of life. The Lord answers prayer!

“[Patience is] a grace as difficult as it is necessary, and as hard to come by as it is precious when it is gained.”—C. H. Spurgeon