2 Peter 3:8-9
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: For the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow to do what he promised, as some consider slowness. Instead, he is patient for your sakes, not wanting anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving us this incredible gift—time—that we can number our days. Peter reminds us that time’s constraints do not bind you; you are outside of time. However, you have set a time for grace for each person, granting them a limited number of days, and you desire each person to come to know you and your love—which we don’t deserve. But, as Peter wrote, you are patient so that no one would perish, but all people repent of their sins and return to you; our sins are grave; please let us never take advantage of your love and mercy.
We look at all evilness in the world, and our first instinct is how disgusted you must be with us. While you hate sin, this passage tells us that you patiently wait for all to repent and trust you. However, your patience does not give us the license to do whatever we want or unlimited time. So please forgive our heartlessness, selfishness, lovelessness, pride, and every other way we push against your patience. Lord, help us see our sins so we can repent for everything we have done and receive the forgiveness Jesus won for us on the cross. Only through your word do we know that Jesus has died and taken away our sins, and faith trusts your word. Thank you for being patient with us and establishing faith in our hearts through your Spirit. Please allow us to share this good news with someone who still does not know you, and let us tell them with the urgency of a limited time. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Even though God is patient, we need to hear his urgency. On our own, we are condemned, but Jesus has forgiven all our sins. Through faith in him, we have eternal life.