“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. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you…”– 2 Pet. 3:8-9
You need something to give thanks to God for? Here’s something… thank Him for being patient with our impatience. Also, in case you need more this morning to give thanks about, how about this, as well: the fact that He has never been late for anything. “Swiss timing” can’t hold a candle to His timing. The precision of His faithfulness is beyond measure whether it’s one day or a thousand. And the promise we should be most looking forward to, at this point, is this; that He will send Jesus back into our world, to make all things new, at just the right time. That grand Day will happen not a day early nor a day late.
And how we should long for that Day. No more death, pain, or mourning; no more knowing in part or loving in part; no more goodbyes or good riddances; no more disappointing others or being disappointed; no more betrayals or rejections; nor more broken hearts or broken anything; no more heartaches or even heartburn. Now, that is a day to long for.
But also remember God’s faithfulness isn’t just tied to the timing of the second coming, but to everything else He has promised as well. Indeed, there’s no panic or second-guessing in heaven for everything is unfolding just as He planned and implemented.
One of the reasons that it may be hard for us to give thanks some days is because it is hard for us to imagine why He hasn’t answered certain prayers with a quick and big “Yes!” Nevertheless, the reality is this…He does all things well and on time. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you…” I believe we need to key in more on the fact that He is patient with us rather His swiftness in answering prayers. For we KNOW that He keeps His promises and that is a promise for us.
So after you give thanks to God this morning, ask that He would grant to us grace in our waiting, strength in our weariness, and wisdom in our sadness. And then ask that as we “wait” that the Spirit would direct our eyes and our hearts to be more attentive to the needs of others around us. (Interesting benefit for service to others…all the things we just prayed for above and more.) One last request of God this morning, ask Him to fill our hearts with kindness and gentleness, as we bear one another’s burdens.
Soli Deo Gloria!
In His Grip,
Pastor Mike
