Perhaps no man in all of history demonstrates the integration of these two godly virtues as well as William Wilberforce (1759-1833) did throughout his life.  A member of the British Parliament, he introduced anti-slavery measures year after year for 40 years.  He never wavered.  He never tempered his fervency.  And yet, he never resorted to revolutionary insurgency.  He stood fast and firm. 

Again and again the Scriptures underline the importance of each moment that passes.  It is an ethical imperative to act and act quickly when lives are at stake, when justice is perverted, when truth is in jeopardy, when mercy is at risk, when souls are endangered, and when the Gospel is assaulted. 

• We are admonished to “make the most of our time” (Ephesians 5:15). 
• We are to “redeem the time” (Colossians 4:5). 
• We are to utilize “every day to the utmost” (Hebrews 3:13). 

In short, we are to sanctify the time (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). Decisiveness, determination, single-mindedness, constancy, diligence, and passion must inform our agenda.  Such is the characteristic of holy zeal.

At the same time, the Bible makes it plain that victory will not be won in a day, however fervently we act.  It will take time–perhaps generations.  In the interim, we are to rest and rely on God’s “very great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:3).  We are to trust that His sovereign working will indeed make all things right (Romans 8:28) and that His good providence will by no means be thwarted (Ephesians 1:11). 

Though the times are hard and all the earth cries out under the burden of wickedness, injustice, and perversion, we have the assurance that God’s purposes will not ultimately be frustrated.  We need not be anxious (Philippians 4:6).  We need not worry (Matthew 6:25).  We need not fret (Luke 12: 22).  Instead, we are to be patient in hope (Romans 8:5).  We are to be patient in affliction (Romans 12:12).  We are to be patient in our preaching (2 Timothy 4:2).  We are to clothe ourselves in patience (Colossians 3:12).  And we are to endure in patience (Revelation 3:12).  The pace we set must be steady.  Because the task we face will not soon be dispatched.  Such is the characteristic of holy patience.

Our stewardship of time calls for both: urgency and patience.  We must be zealous for that which is good and right and true.  But we must also persevere by resting in God’s good providence.

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