The Patience of the Lord
Monday’s Verse:
From 2 Peter 3:9 NIV
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Sunday afternoon, I picked up my Bible and started reading through 1 and 2 Peter. Our Epistle reading for this weekend really hit home for some reason. And I stumbled upon one of the more popular verses in Peter’s epistles - 2 Peter 3:9.
It seems that God is taking forever.
We see the world around us. There’s injustice, suffering, and unbelief. We cry out to Christ to return. We wait on answers. And we question why the Lord delays.
Peter tells us that the Lord's delay is His patience.
God is not waiting around. He’s not sitting on His hands. He’s not ignoring us. God is patient with you. That word matters. His waiting is personal. His patience pours out toward you, and has your name all over it.
We would destroy ourselves if He let us. We stand guilty before God, separated from Him in sin. We wander. We doubt. We disobey His Word. But He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve. He allows time. Time for the Gospel to reach our ears. Time to repent. Time to be restored through His Word and Sacraments.
This is sheer grace.
Repentance is not a one-time moment for Lutherans. It’s a daily returning to our Baptism. Each day we drown ourselves, the old Adam, and rise to live in Christ. The patience of the Lord allows time for that daily repentance. He conserves His Church on earth that sinners will hear those words: Your sins are forgiven for the sake of Jesus.
God wants no one to perish. At the cross, we see how great that desire is in Him. When Jesus hung upon the cross, the delay was over. There was no longer any waiting. The judgment we deserved was poured out on Him. Christ took it in full, so that we might know mercy in full.
If you’re waiting feels like an eternity, remember why. The Lord is patiently gathering together His church. Calling the lost. Upholding you in the faith. His timing is not procrastination; it’s your salvation.
When that Day comes, it will never be too early or too late. It will be JUST in time.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus Christ, we praise You for being patient with us. When we’re weary of waiting on You, remind us of Your love and mercy. Stir us to daily repentance and faith in Your promises. Preserve Your Church and save many souls through the preaching of Your Word. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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