Scripture

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you not wanting anyone to parish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Devotional

As Christians, we all are anticipating the return of the Lord. However, because we live in a “Right Now” world, we are sometimes impatient and wonder why God has not already come. In today’s verse, it is clear why God is waiting and that His timeframe is hard for us to comprehend. In Psalm 90:4, the psalmist reminds us, “For a thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by.” In the previous verse to today’s verse, 2 Peter 3:8, the Bible says, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.” In 1 Timothy 2:4, “(God) who wants men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Both Peter and Paul have written that God wants all to be saved. This does not mean that all will be saved, because the Bible makes it clear that many will reject Christ and turn away from His offer of salvation. We must never assume that anyone is outside God’s mercy or beyond God’s offer of salvation.

We must not sit and wait for Christ’s return. We should live with the constant thought that time is short and there is important work for us to do. Although we must be ready for His return, even if it’s today, we must also plan our service to Him as though He may not return for many years. I want to encourage you not to abandon your faith in times of trials, however, be prepared to show others the endurance of your faith through trials. In Romans 8:18 the Bible says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Also, in Philippians 3:14, Paul says,”I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Finally, Galatians 3:11 says, “Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, the righteous will live by faith.” Our faith rests in what Christ has done for us in the past and trusting in Him for what He is doing in the present and will do in the future.