2 Peter 3:8-9
8 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. 9 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.
So many times, I think that God needs to hurry up and answer my prayers. Then in Christian circles, we use verses like these to remind us that God acts in His own timing and that His timing and ours are not the same. So, we are told to be patient and wait upon the Lord.
Is this what this verse means? Consider that it’s just the opposite.
Could it be that the meaning of the verse is from God’s perspective? God is patient with us. He knows that we take a long time to change our ways, behavior, and thoughts.
He has affirmed the fact that He has all the time in the world to wait on us as He loves us and doesn’t want to lose any of us.
So, God says, “I have shown you my ways through creation, through scripture, through books, art, songs and sermons, and yet, you still struggle with trusting me.” The Lord says, “I will be patient.” When I look at it from His side, I’m glad He is patient for left up to me, I would have bailed long ago. From my viewpoint what I see is that the faster I can get to trust and belief, the faster I can receive God’s blessing and promises.
Can I accelerate trust and belief? Can I enhance this process by what I read, attend, listen to, and watch? Hmm, something to consider?
What about the thought that we have to go through experiences to actually build trust? Does experience build trust or does trust get tested through experience?
Can we just declare now that we trust God? Can we help ourselves get there quicker by just not questioning our trust in God? After all, isn’t that what happened at our point of salvation? It took me 30 years to come to faith. I hear of some who came to faith in 5 years. I guess they were quicker than me to come to the same conclusion.
I’m so glad God is patient with me.
Just a Thought…
