
Read: 2 Peter 3:8–15 | Bible in a Year: Job 25–27; Acts 12
[The Lord] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
I was sitting with a group of passengers on an airport shuttle
heading to our connecting flight when the bus driver was told to “hold
in place.” It looked like we would miss our flight, and this was more
than one passenger could handle. He exploded at the driver, insisting he
ignore his orders or “risk the wrath of a lawsuit.” Just then an
airline employee came dashing up carrying a briefcase. Looking at the
angry man, the airline employee triumphantly held up the briefcase. When
he had caught his breath, he said, “You left your briefcase. I heard
you mention how important your meeting was, and I figured you would need
this.”
Sometimes I find myself impatient with God, especially about His return. I wonder, What can He be waiting on? The tragedies around us, the suffering of people we love, and even the stresses of daily life all seem bigger than the fixes on the horizon.
Then someone tells their story of having just met Jesus, or I discover God is still at work in the messes. It reminds me of what I learned that day on the shuttle. There are stories and details God knows that I don’t. It reminds me to trust Him and to remember that the story isn’t about me. It’s about God’s plan to give time to others who don’t yet know His Son (2 Peter 3:9).
Sometimes I find myself impatient with God, especially about His return. I wonder, What can He be waiting on? The tragedies around us, the suffering of people we love, and even the stresses of daily life all seem bigger than the fixes on the horizon.
Then someone tells their story of having just met Jesus, or I discover God is still at work in the messes. It reminds me of what I learned that day on the shuttle. There are stories and details God knows that I don’t. It reminds me to trust Him and to remember that the story isn’t about me. It’s about God’s plan to give time to others who don’t yet know His Son (2 Peter 3:9).
I’m thankful You are patiently waiting for more people to trust in You before You return. Help me to be patient too.
Wait and witness till Jesus returns.
INSIGHT:
The New Testament manuscripts, which were written in Greek, use two different words for patience.
One word describes patience regarding circumstances; the other relates
to patience with people. When the Greek text speaks of God’s patience,
the word used is almost always the one that refers to people. God’s
patience with us is not because He can’t compel us to do what He wants,
but because He loves us, respects our will, and has given each of us the
ability to make our own choices. Adapted from What Does the Bible Say About Patience? Read it at discoveryseries.org/q0722
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