God's Patience: Embracing Hope Amidst Suffering
Summary
Life is often filled with pain, confusion, and the persistent question: why does God allow evil and suffering to continue? When faced with personal loss, injustice, or the brokenness of the world, it’s natural to want to escape, to run away from the hurt, or to wish that God would simply “wrap it up” and make everything right. This longing is not new; even in the first century, people expected God to intervene dramatically and immediately. Yet, Jesus offers a different perspective through the parable of the wheat and the weeds in Matthew 13.
In this story, a farmer sows good seed, but an enemy comes at night and sows poisonous weeds among the wheat. The servants, seeing the danger, want to pull the weeds out right away. But the farmer says no—if they do, they might uproot the wheat as well. Instead, both are allowed to grow together until the harvest, when the separation can be made safely and completely.
This parable reveals the complexity of good and evil in our world. Sometimes, what is harmful and what is life-giving look almost identical, especially at first. Evil often masquerades as good, and it’s only with time, discernment, and prayer that we can truly tell the difference. The temptation to act quickly, to purge what seems wrong, is strong—but God’s patience is purposeful. He waits, not wanting to lose any of the wheat—His people—even if it means enduring the pain of evil’s presence for a time.
The story of Shire, a young man who seemed lost beyond hope, illustrates this truth. Given only weeks to live, he was dragged to church camp, encountered God’s love, and found new life. Even after falling back into old patterns, he was given another chance. Had his story ended too soon, the harvest of his life would have been lost. God’s patience allowed for redemption, for the possibility that those far from Him might yet be found.
In the waiting, God’s love and wisdom are at work. The pain of living with both wheat and weeds is real, but it is also the space where grace can reach the most unlikely people—including ourselves. God’s desire is not to lose any of us, and so He waits, working in ways we may not understand, but always with love.
Key Takeaways
- God’s patience is not indifference; it is mercy. The coexistence of good and evil in the world is not a sign that God is absent or uncaring, but that He is giving every opportunity for redemption. If God were to act too quickly, some who might yet turn to Him could be lost. His waiting is an expression of His deep love for every person. [51:18]
- Discernment takes time and community. The parable shows that evil and good can look remarkably similar, especially at first. It is only through prayer, reflection, and the wisdom of others that we can begin to distinguish what truly brings life from what brings harm. Quick judgments can lead to tragic mistakes, both in our own lives and in how we treat others. [48:53]
- The pain of waiting is real, but it is not wasted. Living in a world where suffering and evil persist is deeply difficult. Yet, this waiting period is also a time of growth, transformation, and unexpected grace. God uses even the painful seasons to shape us and to reach those who seem farthest from hope. [52:40]
- No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. The story of Shire reminds us that even those who seem utterly lost can be found. God’s patience allows space for redemption, for second chances, and for lives to be changed in ways we could never predict. We are called to hold hope for others—and for ourselves—because God does. [57:59]
- God’s ways are higher than ours, and His timing is perfect. While we may long for immediate justice or resolution, God sees the bigger picture. He desires to gather all the wheat, not losing any to premature judgment. Trusting His wisdom means accepting that some answers will remain mysterious, but His love and purpose remain sure. [01:21:26]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[11:08] - Opening Prayer
[14:16] - Announcements and Barbecue Invitation
[36:43] - Introducing the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds
[46:44] - The Danger of Evil Masquerading as Good
[48:53] - Discernment and the Guise of Safety
[50:06] - The Urge to Remove Evil Quickly
[51:18] - God’s Patience and the Value of Waiting
[52:40] - Wrestling with the Problem of Evil
[54:07] - Shire’s Story: A Life on the Brink
[55:06] - The Power of Persistent Friendship
[56:44] - Church Camp and the Turning Point
[57:59] - Encountering God’s Love and Redemption
[59:43] - The Struggle of Backsliding and Return
[01:01:13] - Testimony and Rededication
[01:02:44] - The Gift of Not Giving Up Too Soon
[01:21:26] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Wheat and the Weeds – Why Does God Wait?
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### Bible Reading
Matthew 13:24-30 (ESV)
He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”
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### Observation Questions
1. In the parable, what does the farmer say when the servants want to pull out the weeds right away? What reason does he give for waiting? ([36:43])
2. According to the sermon, what is significant about the weeds (tares) that are sown among the wheat? How do they compare to the wheat when they first start growing? ([36:43])
3. What does the farmer’s decision to let both wheat and weeds grow together reveal about his priorities? ([36:43])
4. In the story of Shire, what role did waiting and patience play in his journey? ([54:07])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The farmer chooses not to remove the weeds immediately, even though they are poisonous. What does this suggest about God’s approach to dealing with evil and suffering in the world? ([51:18])
2. The sermon mentions that evil can look almost identical to good at first. Why might it be dangerous to make quick judgments about what is good or evil in our lives or in others? ([46:44])
3. How does the story of Shire help us understand the importance of God’s patience and the possibility of redemption for people who seem far from hope? ([54:07])
4. The parable ends with a final harvest and separation. What does this teach us about God’s timing and ultimate justice? ([36:43])
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### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you wanted God to “wrap it up” and fix a painful or unjust situation right away. How did you respond in that season of waiting? Looking back, do you see any ways God was at work during that time? ([51:18])
2. The sermon says that God’s patience is mercy, not indifference. Is there someone in your life you have given up on too soon, or someone you struggle to have patience with? What would it look like to extend God’s kind of patience to them this week? ([54:07])
3. The parable warns against pulling up the weeds too quickly, which could harm the wheat. Are there situations or people where you have been too quick to judge or “pull up” what you thought was bad? How might you approach those situations differently now? ([46:44])
4. Discernment takes time and community. Who are the people you trust to help you pray and reflect when you’re unsure about what is good or harmful in your life? How can you invite them into your decision-making process this month? ([48:53])
5. The pain of waiting is real, but it is not wasted. Is there a difficult area in your life right now where you are “waiting” for God to act? What is one small way you can trust God’s love and wisdom in that area this week? ([52:40])
6. The story of Shire shows that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Is there someone you know who seems “too far gone”? How can you hold hope for them, or even reach out to them, in a practical way? ([57:59])
7. God’s ways are higher than ours, and His timing is perfect. What helps you trust God when you don’t understand why He is waiting? Is there a prayer or practice that helps you hold onto hope in the waiting? ([01:21:26])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for patience, discernment, and hope—for themselves and for those who seem far from God. Ask God to help you trust His timing and to see His love at work, even in the waiting.
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Patience Allows Good and Evil to Grow Together
God allows both good and evil to exist side by side in the world, not because He is indifferent, but because His patience ensures that none of the “wheat”—His people—are lost in a premature judgment. In the parable of the wheat and the weeds, Jesus explains that uprooting evil too soon could harm the good, so God waits until the right time to separate them. This waiting can be confusing and even painful, especially when we witness suffering and injustice, but it is rooted in God’s deep desire to save as many as possible. As we live in this tension, we are reminded that God’s timing is perfect, even when we do not understand it. [36:43]
Matthew 13:24-30 (ESV)
He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”
Reflection: When you see evil or pain in your life or the world, how does it change your perspective to consider that God’s patience is meant to protect and save, not to ignore suffering?
Day 2: Discernment Is Needed—Evil Often Looks Like Good
Not everything that appears good or right is truly life-giving; sometimes, what seems safe or beneficial can actually be harmful, and it is only through time, prayer, and discernment that we can tell the difference. Just as the weeds in Jesus’ parable looked like wheat at first, so too can temptations or harmful choices appear attractive or even justified, especially when cloaked in the language of safety or morality. It is only by seeking God’s wisdom, reflecting with others, and being patient that we can discern what truly brings life and what brings harm. [48:53]
Matthew 13:24-30 (ESV)
He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”
Reflection: Is there a decision or situation in your life right now that looks good on the surface but needs prayerful discernment—can you pause and seek God’s wisdom before acting?
Day 3: God’s Waiting Is an Act of Love
God’s choice to wait before bringing final judgment is not neglect, but a loving act that gives every person the opportunity to be found, redeemed, and brought into His family. The story of Shire, who was given only weeks to live but found new life in Christ, reminds us that God’s patience can mean salvation for those who seem farthest away. Even when we are frustrated by the slowness of change or the persistence of evil, we can trust that God’s waiting is motivated by His desire that none should be lost. [01:02:44]
2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Reflection: Who in your life seems far from God right now, and how might God be inviting you to pray for them and show them patience as He does?
Day 4: Our Stories of Brokenness Can Become Stories of Redemption
No one is too far gone for God’s grace; even those who have burned every bridge and made every mistake can be transformed and welcomed home. The testimony of Shire, who returned to his old ways after first meeting God but was drawn back again by love and community, shows that God never gives up on us. Our brokenness does not disqualify us from God’s love—instead, it can become the very place where His redemption shines brightest. [01:01:48]
Luke 15:20-24 (ESV)
And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Reflection: Is there a part of your own story that you feel is too broken for God—can you bring it honestly to Him today and ask Him to begin redeeming it?
Day 5: The Waiting Is Painful, But God Is With Us
Living in the “in-between”—where good and evil, joy and pain, coexist—is hard, but God promises to be with us in the waiting, teaching us patience and hope. The struggle of watching suffering, injustice, or our own failures can feel overwhelming, yet God’s presence and love sustain us through it all. In the waiting, we are reminded that God’s ways are higher than ours, and that He is always working for our good, even when we cannot see it. [01:21:26]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to wait on God—how can you invite Him into your waiting and trust His higher ways today?
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