November 9

The Fruit Of The Spirit--Longsuffering

But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler. But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name. — 1 Pet 4:13-16 BSB

The long-suffering silence of our Lord was astonishing to His enemies.

"Like a lamb led to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent," He didn’t open His mouth. Before the high priests, He kept silent. To Pilate, He gave no answer. Amid the challenges and reproaches of the cross, He said nothing, except in blessing and prayer. "When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly."

Surely, this has been His way throughout the centuries. In every child suffering through the cruelty of others, in every martyr at the stake, in every innocent person under oppression, He has been led like a lamb to the slaughter, remaining silent. Humanity may murder His followers and blaspheme His name, yet He says not a word. This is reflected in one of the profound announcements in the Book of Revelation. "When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour." The songs of heaven were hushed, the countless multitude listened to the groans of their unhelped brethren, and the angels paused in their praise, intent on the tragic events to unfold (Revelation 8:1). Yet no immediate help seemed to come.

However, silence does not mean indifference. At the same time that Jesus was silent before His judges, He was bearing the sin of the world. When silence reigns in heaven, the prayers of the saints are being presented before God’s throne, mingled with the incense of Christ’s merit.

We are called to suffer in this same spirit. We don’t need to broadcast our anguish to the world. No suffering, when borne rightly, is wasted. In ways we may never understand, we are sharing in Christ’s redemptive work. Be calm, quiet, and joyful! Pray for those who mistreat you and ask that your suffering, borne rightly, may lead to their conversion, just as Stephen’s did with Saul.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, in Your infinite mercy, give me the assurance of Your protection amid the troubles and turmoil of this life, that I may be kept in peace and quietness of spirit. Amen.