The Lord’s Patience

One of the hardest things about being human is learning to be patient. It’s hard to wait. From the time we’re little and can first utter those words, “Are we there yet,” we don’t like to be patient. When it comes to Heaven, we turn into those little kids. “Are we there yet?” We look around our world and know that the answer is, “No.” What could God be waiting for? Peter wrote these words:

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. – 2 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

I know that God wants to spend eternity with us – that’s why He sent His Son, Jesus, to take our punishment on the cross. I also know that He is patiently waiting for so many more to come to faith in Jesus Christ. Every day that passes is another chance for one more to say, “I believe.” May we learn to be patient as the Lord is patient. Let us share the love of God with everyone we meet so that they will join us on the day of Christ’s return.

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Like A Thief

Jesus said it in the Gospels. Paul said it in his letters. John wrote about it in Revelation. Peter wrote about it in his letter, too. The New Testament says that the return of the Lord will come like a thief. This is what Peter said:

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. – 2 Peter 3:10 (NIV)

A thief does not announce his coming before he comes to rob your house. He shows up when you’re not expecting him. It takes you by surprise and then it is too late. When Jesus comes, it will not necessarily be when we’re expecting Him. For centuries, people have been predicting the return of Christ and every single time they have been wrong. The fact is that only God knows when Christ will return. So let us always be ready for He will come when we least expect it.

God’s Concept Of Time

When it comes to the Day of the Lord, the day when Jesus will return, the Bible says that it will happen “soon.” How can that be? It’s been nearly 2,000 years since Jesus’ ascension to the right hand of the Father in Heaven. We long for His appearing so we can leave behind the sin, pain and sorrow of this world. And yet Jesus seems so slow in coming. We wonder what is taking so long. Peter wrote:

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. – 2 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

God’s schedule is not our schedule. His timing is not our timing. His ways are higher than our ways. What seems like forever to us has only been a little less than two days to Him. God’s purpose for delaying the return of His Son may not be understood to us, but His plans are greater than ours. Our job is to trust Him and have faith that He knows what He’s doing. We will be with Him soon and in the meantime, let us learn to patiently enjoy His presence in our lives here on earth before we enter into His presence in Heaven.