FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2024
HIS TIMING IS PERFECT – Pastor Chris
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
The Bible talks about some who scoff and mock at the truth: “…in the last days there will come scoffers who will do every wrong they can think of and laugh at the truth” (2 Peter 3:3 TLB). For example, they mockingly ask, “Jesus promised to come back; we’ve been hearing that for generations; where is He? He’ll never come!”
They fail to realize that God’s sense of time is not like ours. Take 2 Peter 3:8 as an example; Peter reminds us not to be ignorant of one crucial truth: “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” When God communicates a message to you in a certain way and then repeats it in reverse, He’s emphasizing that these are not exaggerations or generic statements. What He’s indicating is that, in prophetic language, a day can represent a thousand years, and a thousand years can be like one day.
The reason Jesus hasn’t come isn’t that God is “delaying” or that He forgot He said Jesus would come. Rather, He’s being patient. He’s not willing that anyone should perish but wants everyone to come to repentance. How gracious the Lord is! 2 Peter 3:15 further emphasizes this; it says for us to account, reckon that the longsuffering (patience) of our Lord is for the salvation of men.
The seeming delay is directly tied to God’s desire for salvation. Every moment He waits is another opportunity for someone to turn to Him and be saved. This understanding should stir your heart to share the Gospel with urgency, knowing that God’s timing is perfect, and His patience is an extension of His love.
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PRAYERDear Father, thank you for your patience, giving people all over the world the opportunity to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth as it’s in the Gospel. May the message of the Gospel, like never before, have free course, and salvation spread into every corner of the earth, unhindered, until the full numbers of the Gentiles come in, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV
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 a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Hebrews 10:37
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 & Jeremiah 3-4
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Hebrews 9:1-10 & Ezekiel 16
