The Patience of God
Happy Fathers Day! It was good the celebrate a Father’s Day with my son and daughter and five of my six grandchildren. We missed having Nathan and Mason with us who are holding down the homestead in Georgia for Stephanie and making sure that Mason hones his baseball skills.
It was good to be a Mile High Vineyard this morning with Christian and Bridget. I meet a host of people that were very gracious and expressed their support for me in prayer during my illness. Christian is a part time staff member and many I met commented on their appreciation of his ministry. They have several families who are from the Lakewood area. Perhaps there is a church plant or satellite in store for this growing church.
Christians children made him personalized Father’s Day cards and Eliana wore a pretty little dress. It did take some convincing for her to wear her pretty blue shoes instead of her tennis shoes with her dress though! Grandpa tried to help with the assistance of “Minnie Mouse.”
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Dear friends, don’t ignore this fact: One day with the Lord is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act.” 2 Peter 3:8,9
Peter provides reassurance to Christians who are facing taunts of those who riddle God’s promise of Christ’s return. It is interesting that these individuals are described as “evil people who want to follow their own ways.” They mock the belief that Christ will return by saying, “where is the promised coming?” Perhaps the fact that He hasn’t returned is providing a false sense of comfort of those who live in rebellion to God’s ways.
Peter makes it clear that –
1 – Time is irrelevant to God.
One day or a thousand years. It doesn’t make any difference as far as God is concerned because He is above time.
2 – God’s perspective is different from mankind
Our lives are gauge by time. We are tied to days and weeks and years. We grow impatient with “time.” From a human perspective God is taking His time, but from a Divine perspective He is always right on time! God is patient. That is a quality that people constantly struggle with, but not God. God’s patient is for our good.
3 – God’s Priority is people
God’s mission expressed through the ministry of Christ is to, “seek and save the lost.” That mission continues through Church. God’s desire is for all to turn to Him in repentance or as God’s Word translation states it, “to change the way they think and act.” When we turn to God we begin to view our lives and the world the way God does. We also adjust our lifestyle and behavior to that which reflects God’s priorities and values.
Peter reassures that Christ will return! That day will bring the destruction of the heavens and earth. But for Christians that is not what they look forward to; instead, “we look forward to what God has promised—a new heaven and a new earth—a place where everything that has God’s approval lives.” 2 Peter 3:13
As you consider the promised return of Christ, which perspective describes your life, losing heart or keeping your eyes on the prize?