THE PATIENCE OF GOD

THE PATIENCE OF GOD
by John Drescher

An old legend says that one day Abraham was standing by his tent
door when
he saw an old man coming along the way, weary with his journey, and
with
bleeding feet. With true hospitality he invited the old man to share
his
meal and be ledge with him for the night. Abraham noticed that he
asked no
blessing on the meal, and inquired why he did not pray to the God of
heaven.
The old man said, "I am a fire worshiper and acknowledge no other
god." At
this Abraham grew angry and sent him from his tent.

Then God called Abraham, "Where is the old man who came to you?" And
Abraham answered, "I thrust him out because he did not worship You."
Then
God said, "I have suffered him these hundreds of years, though he
dishonored
me, and could you not endure him one night?"

Excerpted from SPIRIT FRUIT by John Drescher (Herald Press, 1974).