¥It demonstrates God's
patience.
–Luke 13:8-9 (NIV)
" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone
for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If
not, then cut it down.'"
–Romans 9:22-23
(NIV) What if God, choosing to show his wrath and
make his power known, bore with great patience the
objects of his wrath–prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory.