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,
Forgive us when we expect things to happen right now. Our timeline is not yours because you are not bound by time; you do everything as it is fitting for you and your good purpose. Peter rightly expressed that you are patient and not slow in doing things; your patience demonstrates your love for all people.
You have done everything to make salvation available for all people. Jesus became part of creation by taking on human flesh and being born of Mary. He lived the perfect life in our place, loving you and others without a single sin, and he credits believers with his perfection. Then, he willingly took the world’s sins into himself on the cross, suffering for our sins; Jesus paid sin’s deadly price, giving up his life on the cross so that no one should perish.
However, your gift of salvation and eternal life comes to each person by faith, knowing, and trusting your love for them. You force no one to believe in you but patiently wait, granting them opportunities to hear your word and to believe in Jesus as their Savior. We ask that you strengthen our faith, forgive us all our sins, and keep us in your care; do not let us perish.
We thank you for being patient with all who trust in you and bringing us to faith. We ask that you let us share the good news of your love and forgiveness with those who do not yet have faith in you or have weak faith. Stir their hearts to believe so they will come to repentance and not perish. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Know that while God is patient with us all, each of us has a limited time of grace that we should not take for granted; it will one day end. So hear this: God loves you, Jesus has died for you, and salvation is yours through faith alone in Christ.