2 Peter 3:9
Thoughts from Meghan Fravel
Dive Deeper
“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9
Behind the Scenes
Our God is a God who keeps His promises. His character never changes – He is faithful, and we can trust Him. That’s why this verse is so full of hope, for me and for many others who have family or friends who are not believers. In a world that is broken and turned upside down, it’s so easy for believers to pray for the end to come and for Jesus to bring us home. But how many people would get left behind in eternal separation from God our Father?
I want to break this down a little, so we can fully see what Peter is saying here:
Slow – bradyno – to render slowly (render means to provide or give), to delay, to tarry
Patient – markrothymeo – to be of long spirit, to not lose heart. To be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others
Everyone – pas — each, every, any, all
Repentance – metanoia – to change one’s mind, to change directions
So, after breaking this down, we see that God is not delaying or providing for us slowly in opposition to us. He is bearing our offenses and injuries because He wants each and every one of us to change our minds and come to Him.
What an amazing promise that is. Jesus WILL come again and redeem His church and judge the world. But God is willing to put up with our offenses, our sin, our deplorable treatment of each other BECAUSE he wants us to repent – to change our minds and directions – and to turn to Him.
Do you see this? The God of the Universe who spoke and worlds were created loves us ALL (each and every one of us) enough to want us to turn to Him. He longs for us to be His, but He also loves us enough to let it be our choice. He calls us, He pursues us, He waits for us, but He will never force Himself on us. But the end WILL come. Will you be ready?
Make it Real
I remember when my son was about 1-1/2 years old. My in-laws were in town, and we were eating dinner. When we were about 5 minutes into dinner, my son threw his sippy cup on the floor. I picked it up and put it back telling him not to throw it, and he threw it again. So that was it – no more chances. I picked him up and placed him on the floor away from the table, and the screaming, crying, kicking began. He wanted to be at the table and be the center of attention.
At this point (yes I can feel some of you parents and guardians flinching), I had a choice. I could give in because it was easier, or I could stand my ground until he settled down and fixed his behavior. He proceeded to try to get up and go back to the table over and over again, and I would place him back down by the door and turn my back (not giving him the attention he was seeking) over and over again.
My son is very strong-willed so this continued for about an hour. I kid you not, we stood at that door with him screaming and crying and trying to go back to the table with me patiently placing him back on the floor and turning around for an hour. In the meantime, my in-laws were distraught. They couldn’t stand to hear him cry, and they wanted me to just let him come back to the table, just give him what he wanted so he would settle down. But I knew if I gave in, it would be even longer the next time, and he would not have learned anything.
You see, I was patient, long suffering, wanting my son to change his mind (about his behavior), and I was willing to wait and suffer the offenses – the crying, screaming, kicking, until he changed his mind – BECAUSE I love him. I wanted him to have the skills and behavior that he would need to navigate life.
How much more does God want to equip us to navigate this life? He is patient, long suffering, putting up with our screaming and kicking, because He knows that He has something so much better for us. He created us to glorify Him because he loves and delights in us. So yeah, He is going to wait to bring judgment until every single one of His children hears about Him and has a chance to choose Him. But don’t be mistaken here – He WILL return to redeem those who have chosen Him and judge those who haven’t. Where will you stand at that time?
Colleen McGeorge
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Heavenly Father, the fact that You created us in Your image because You love and delight in us is enough for me to choose You. But You don’t stop there, Lord, you give us far more abundantly than we can ask or think when we align our lives to You. I don’t understand why everybody doesn’t choose You immediately, but I’m so very thankful that You love us ALL so much that You will wait to bring judgment. Lord for those who haven’t chosen You yet, I pray that You continue to pursue them and turn their hearts of stone to flesh so they can experience Your peace and goodness. I pray these things in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus. AMEN!