The Patience of God

“He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives…Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation.”

2 Peter 3:9-11, 15

Yesterday we saw how suffering–“a little bit of wrath”–can serve as evidence of the goodness of God. When viewed from a heavenly perspective, suffering cultivates a proper fear of God in our hearts. It helps us to understand the hell from which we have been delivered. Most of all, it fills our hearts with adoration and gratitude to Jesus who bore our sins, as well as His Father’s righteous anger.

Personal suffering can also remind us of God’s patience and lovingkindness toward the unbelieving world. It is only by the restraining hand of God that the world has not disappeared with a fiery roar. Soon the Lord’s patience will be spent. The heavens will disintegrate and the earth will be destroyed by fire–everything and everybody in it will be laid bare. Such a fact fills me with holy dread. So join me in reading today’s verse again and let the Spirit of God ask, “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of person ought you to be?”

Do not coddle secret sin or private iniquities. Confess these things and be filled with the Spirit of God to go and say that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that whoever would believe on Him would never perish.

I confess my sins, dear Lord. Thank You for Your patience toward me and toward the people of this world. Energize me to share Your Good News with them!

Blessings,

Joni and Friends

www.joniandfriends.org