Have you been waiting on something to happen in your life? It may be something that you’ve been waiting on a very long time. Chances are, you’ve wondered what is taking so long. You may have even been tempted to just give up.
You’re Not Alone.
Most will admit that there has been a time when something they have been waiting on seems to have been taking forever to happen. Not everything in life happens on our preferred timetables. Much of life can be characterized that way. You may be praying for a situation in your life, and it seems like your answer is couriered by an African Swallow carrying a coconut. It’s taking a long time, and you’re not convinced that the delivery system is up to the task. You may be wondering if God has heard your prayer, or if He is acting on it.
The early church believers had many of those same thoughts and questions. They were learning to navigate life God’s way – and they didn’t have the luxury of referring to the New Testament writings for guidance. They were living in those times, and those writings were being produced as the new believers sought after God to learn how to live their lives in a way that pleased Him. They were real people facing real problems, looking for real answers – and not seeing those answers happen instantaneously. Just like you and me.
God Isn’t Functioning With Time Constraints
The members of the early church were very excited about the new hope they had found in Jesus and the promise of His second coming. Yet there were people who scoffed at the idea and ridiculed the promise. It was causing some of the believers to question what they were hoping for, and if the time for it would ever come.
Because of this, the Apostle Peter wrote reminding them that people would question God’s promises. (2 Peter 3:3-7) He encouraged them that God’s words are the deciding factor that hold all things together and for a purpose. People scoffed because they hadn’t witnessed something to make them believe. To them, vast amounts of time had passed and things were the same as before. Since time had passed, the promise must not have been valid.
With this in mind, Peter wrote on:
8 But, beloved, do not be ignorant of this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness. But He is patient with us, because He does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9)
Keep in mind, the people who were scoffing were questioning that the promise was real, and that it would ever happen. Because of this, Peter wanted his readers to be very clear one the matter:
9 The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness.
The scoffers were saying God was slow, if He was moving at all. Peter quoted them:
“Where is this promised ‘coming’ of his? For our fathers have died, and everything goes on just as it has since the beginning of creation.” (vs. 4)
He then responded by saying God is not slow – as some count slowness. How were they counting slowness? By the passage of time. That is why Peter stated:
“…with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
Time was not something that was the determining factor for God. In fact, Peter was referring to what Moses spoke of God in Psalm 90 when he said:
2 Before the mountains were born,before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
from beginning to end, you are God.
3 You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals!”
4 For you, a thousand years are as a passing day,as brief as a few night hours.
God is eternal. Time isn’t an issue for Him. He isn’t an “out of time” God, He is the “right on time” God. So what was taking so long for this promised Second Coming of Christ?
Peter addressed the question in verse 9:
But He is patient with us, because He does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
God Has a Desired Result in Mind
God was taking His time because He has a plan and a desired result. He wanted to give everyone an equal chance to accept His mercy and grace in the person of Jesus. His patience was causing time as we know it to keep moving on, but He wasn’t running out of time. His promise still had a delivery date – it was tied to the result He was expecting.
It’s the same with the promise that you have from Him that you are holding on to. God isn’t slow, as some count slowness. Don’t fall into the trap of counting slowness in days, weeks, and years. Keep your focus on what you are hoping for. God is more invested in you receiving what He promised you than even you are. His words to you are a verbal extension of His character, and that’s why He watches over them to carry them out. He will always do His part. It’s up to you to do your portion.
