But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. - 2 Peter 3:8
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. - 2 Peter 3:9
But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. - 2 Peter 3:13
God has his own sense of timing:
With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
He has perfect timing: never early, never late. God is never in a hurry, but he is always on time.
We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13). God is going to vindicate his people (Psalm 135:14). Our spiritual gifts, bodies, families, homes, intellect, looks, money, sporting abilities – are all gifts from God. Our reaction to any success should not be one of pride or self-congratulation, but one of praise and thanks to God – honouring him and exalting him for what he has given us. (Daniel 4:38)
But what do we do while we are waiting for God to do what he has promised to do?
1. Trust in the Lord
When our prayers don’t seem to be answered, we may be tempted to stop trusting the Lord and start chasing other ‘gods’.
Trusting in the Lord may seem a little old fashioned. But the psalmist says, ‘God, your name is eternal, God, you’ll never be out-of-date’
Remain totally dependent on God and look for him to vindicate us. When things aren’t working out as we wish, be patient. Stop trying to move ahead of God. His timing is perfect. Trust him.
2. Turn to the Lord
God is not in a hurry. ‘With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day’
God is not being slow in keeping his promise. Rather, the delay comes from his patience: ‘He is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance’
God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of us holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change’
Repentance is all about a change of direction in our life. It is turning away from all the bad stuff and turning to Jesus. By giving people time to repent God is lovingly holding the door open for their salvation. ‘Interpret our Master’s patient restraint for what it is: salvation’
Grace is undeserved love. We grow in grace as we turn to the Lord, dependent on him in every situation we face, bringing our needs to him day by day, as we eagerly expect his return.
3. Thank the Lord
Pride comes before a fall – as I have discovered many times in my own life. Everything we have comes from God. We are dependent upon him for our next breath. He is in control of the past, present and future. Thanksgiving prompts humility.
‘When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude’, wrote G.K. Chesterton.
Humility does not mean pretending that we do not have what we have, but rather it means recognising the source of what we have, and giving the praise where it is due:
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: - Ecclesiastes 3:1
