NOVEMBER 5 | 2 PETER 3:8-13

1 day ago

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DAILY READING

2 Peter 3:8-13

PATIENTLY WAITING

By Judy Webb

^"10But 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." (2 Peter 3:8-10 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.” (v8)

These verses are all about God’s patience with us and his desire that we all come to know him. He is waiting, and I am taking it personally. Perhaps he is waiting for my sister and her family to turn to him, or for my Jewish neighbor to see that the Messiah is already here! So many are yet to realize that life—their eternal life depends on their discovery of and belief in Jesus. We’ve all had many opportunities to embrace this truth. I thank you God that I have…but I am praying for all the others. “…he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (v9)

“For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours.” (Psalm 90:4 NLT)

I once wondered why the day of the Lord’s return was so secret, why did God want us to wait and to wonder about the day of Jesus’ return, about his second coming? One day while studying these words I began to understand. God was patiently waiting for each and every one of us to turn to him, to accept him as Savior and to repent of all our wrongdoing. He wants each of us to join him in eternity.

“Now, repent of your sins and turn to God” (Acts 3:19)

God is not bound by time, and his timing doesn’t mean he is not acting. God’s delay is evidence of His patience and mercy. The day of the Lord will come eventually and unexpectedly. The additional time provides opportunity for more to be saved. And that is worth waiting for!

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we wait for your return, show us how to tell those who do not yet know you all about your goodness and mercy. Your patience is all around as we pray for those we love to come to know you. Lord, we to share eternity with our families and friends. "Oh, that you would burst from the heavens and come down!" (Isaiah 64:1)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for almost 20 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.