God is Patient - Nehemiah 9:29-31
29 "You warned them to return to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, by which a man will live if he obeys them. Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. 30 For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. 31 But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.
Questions
1. When someone hurts your feelings are you slow to anger and quick to listen? Are you quick to anger, and slow to listening? How do you respond?
2. What does this portion tell us about people and God?
3. What does patience look like in this portion? (You might be surprised.)
Taking the Next Step
Patience doens't mean you ignore a wrong done. It's the way you respond. Before you make a judgement about some one, take a breath, and then you might ask them a question like "Can you help me to understand why you did (or said) what you did?"
Being patient might mean finding something else to play with until your friend is done playing with it instead of getting upset.
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