God Is Patient

There are times in our lives where we must wait for something.  We live in a world where people are rushing from one activity to another and time seems to fly by us at lightening speeds.  We also find ourselves growing ever more impatient.  We want things to get done right now.  Our attention spans have gotten shorter.  I said our attention spans are getting much shorter.  When things don't go our way and in the time frame we want we just find it hard to cope.  We want quick results, but that isn't the way things work out most of the time especially when we are waiting on the Lord.

The Lord isn't in a hurry.  He knows the future and all that it holds for us.  We know that the Lord Jesus Christ is going to be returning someday perhaps very soon.  We are stilling waiting for that Day to come and it will come.  There will be some  people who will grow impatient and stand to scoff about the Lord taking so long to come back. 

2 Peter 3:3-18 says,

"3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

References for 2 Peter 3:3

• Cross References

• 5 3:3 - 1Ti 4:1 ; 2Ti 3:1
• 6 3:3 - 2Pe 2:10 ; Jude 18

4 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.”

References for 2 Peter 3:4

• Cross References

• 7 3:4 - Isa 5:19 ; Eze 12:22 ; Mt 24:48 ; S Lk 17:30
• 8 3:4 - Mk 10:6

5 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.

References for 2 Peter 3:5

• Cross References

• 9 3:5 - Ge 1:6,9 ; Heb 11:3
• 10 3:5 - Ps 24:2

6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.

References for 2 Peter 3:6

• Cross References

• 11 3:6 - 2Pe 2:5
• 12 3:6 - Ge 7:21,22

7 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.

References for 2 Peter 3:7

• Cross References

• 13 3:7 - ver 10,12; S 2Th 1:7
• 14 3:7 - S Mt 10:15

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.

References for 2 Peter 3:8

• Cross References

• 15 3:8 - Ps 90:4

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.

References for 2 Peter 3:9

• Cross References

• 16 3:9 - Hab 2:3 ; Heb 10:37
• 17 3:9 - S Ro 2:4
• 18 3:9 - S 1Ti 2:4 ; Rev 2:21

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.^a

References for 2 Peter 3:10

• Cross References
• Footnotes

• 19 3:10 - S Lk 12:39 ; 1Th 5:2
• 20 3:10 - Isa 34:4
• 21 3:10 - ver 7,12; S 2Th 1:7
• 22 3:10 - Mt 24:35 ; S Heb 12:27 ; Rev 21:1

• j 3:10 - Some manuscripts "be burned up"

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives

12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.  That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

References for 2 Peter 3:12

• Cross References
• Footnotes

• 23 3:12 - S 1Co 1:7
• 24 3:12 - Ps 50:3
• 25 3:12 - ver 10

• k 3:12 - Or "as you wait eagerly for the day of God to come"

13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

References for 2 Peter 3:13

• Cross References

• 26 3:13 - Isa 65:17 ; 66:22 ; Rev 21:1

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

References for 2 Peter 3:14

• Cross References

• 27 3:14 - S 1Th 3:13

15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

References for 2 Peter 3:15

• Cross References

• 28 3:15 - S Ro 2:4
• 29 3:15 - ver 9
• 30 3:15 - Eph 3:3

16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

References for 2 Peter 3:16

• Cross References

• 31 3:16 - Jas 1:8 ; 2Pe 2:14
• 32 3:16 - Ps 56:5 ; Jer 23:36
• 33 3:16 - ver 2

17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.

References for 2 Peter 3:17

• Cross References

• 34 3:17 - 1Co 10:12
• 35 3:17 - 2Pe 2:18
• 36 3:17 - 2Pe 2:7
• 37 3:17 - Rev 2:5

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."           

When it comes to the Lord people may indeed scoff at His slowness, but He is not really being slow at all.  The Lord is working out things in the world to bring Glory, Honor, and Praise to Himself.  He is also patient with each one of us.  He doesn't want anyone to perish and go to Hell.  He wants everyone to come to repentance of their sins and trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  

There will be some people who will reject the free gift of salvation and forgiveness of sins that is only available through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Those who reject Jesus finished work on the Cross will be eternally separated from God in a literal place called Hell.

The Lord doesn't want to see that happen to anyone so He is willing to wait with a greater patience than you and I have.  There will come a day when it will be too late to make a decision to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior.  The time of salvation is now.  Time is indeed running out for the Lord will soon return and He could indeed return tonight.   

The day of the Lord will come as a thief.  That is it will come upon us unexpectedly.  It is vitally important that we are ready for the return of Jesus Christ and we need to make sure our family and friends are ready too.     

Let us be patient with others and continue to proclaim the truth of God's Word.  Let us live for the Lord each and everyday as we wait for His coming.  Let us try to get the Gospel message to as many people as we can in the hopes that many more will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior before it is too late for them.

Are you ready for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Lord,

Thank You for being patient with each one of us.

Thank You for Your love toward us.

Help us to love those around us.

Help us tell others about Jesus Christ and the salvation that is available through Him.

Help us to be patient in our dealing with others.

Lead us and guide us by Your Spirit.

In the Name that is above all Names we pray,

In Jesus name,

Amen.