Our scripture this morning is 2 Peter 3:1-9.
“Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 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.”
In this passage Peter reminds us that all things will come in God’s time. It may seem that evil exists unopposed, but we have heard “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). While we wait and pray for Christ’s return, God will decide when.
Waiting is difficult, we are an immediate people, used to things happening quickly. God wants us to be patient, but not to just sit around while we wait. He has things for us to accomplish in accordance with the instructions we are given – to love Him and each other, and to make disciples of all the world.
Peter tells us that God isn’t slow in the way we understand it, but He has a plan for creation that must be accomplished. We hear “Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (v. 9). God wants us all to know the joy of a relationship with Him and to receive eternal life.
Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we are impatient with You and each other. Make us strong in Your love and send us into the world that all may return to You. Amen.