◄ What Does 2 Peter 3:9 Mean? ►

Humanity is tethered to time and enclosed in space, unaware of the eternal, unrestricted perspective of the Father. We are hooked into a world of the moment and a life of the limited, while God is unfolding His plans and purposes for the benefit of mankind, which He knew in the eternal council chambers of heaven before the creation was spoken into being. God is not slow to fulfil His promises to us, and any perceived delay in the mindset of man cannot invalidate the perfect, unfolding plan of God.

The Lord is patient, long-suffering, and loving toward all He has made. It is indeed His will that none would perish, and every day many more people are being saved as they put their trust in Jesus. But some people are falling into the mindset that things will go on forever and start to doubt that the Lord will ever come back. Indeed, some are openly mocking those who are eagerly awaiting the coming of the Lord Jesus and Peter talks about these people: "Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue just as they were from the beginning of creation.'" 

We should not let these mockers cause doubts in our hearts that Christ will return and, heaven forbid, we join with them in their mocking chorus. The Bible tells us that Jesus is returning. There will be a day when the wait is over and we will see Him, face to face. Paul encourages us to know the times in which we live: "It is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now, salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near." 

The scornful scoffers and deriding mockers that belie the fast approaching Day of the Lord, are unaware that every passing moment is not slackness or disinterest on God's part, nor is God's acceptance or indifference towards man's sin, but just another expression of His long-suffering grace and His unwillingness that any should perish, but that all should turn from their sin to Jesus as the substitute offering for their sins and their glorious Saviour.

Every day that passes is one more example of God's long-suffering grace towards the children of men. May we avoid being swept into a mind-set that accuses God of inactivity, and glory in His amazing grace towards each one of us.

May we come to the unshakable knowledge that our times are in His hands, and at His appointed time and in His designated way, we will one day step into His eternal presence, when faith will vanish into sight and hope be emptied in delight.

Heavenly Father, I praise Your wonderful name for your long-suffering attitude toward me, Your errant child, and toward the whole world. I am sorry for those times when I have wondered why Jesus has not returned yet. Help me see the unsaved world through Your eyes of love, that You want all to be saved. Give me a hunger to spread Your saving gospel of grace to a lost world. I know that Jesus is coming back at the right time. I pray that many may come to faith in You, while there is still time. In Jesus' name, AMEN.