2 Peter 3:1-13 Are We There Yet?

Peter is reminding his readers of the promises of God. AND reminding them that God holds His own calendar and timeline.

OH how MANY times I’ve said in my life that I know God’s timing is always right but “I wish He would WIND HIS WATCH!” This was my way of asking Him to hurry up and meet my requests/needs. So I can fully identify with what Peter is saying here.

Peter has called on his audience to remember the prophecies of old. To look at how God has fulfilled them. And to be CERTAIN that God is going to keep on filling the ones that have yet to be completed. God does NOTHING halfway. He doesn’t get up in the middle of the movie and walk out. He doesn’t get bored with His “toys” and abandon them. HE FINISHES WHAT HE BEGINS. EVERY TIME!

The “finishing touch” Peter is referencing is the return of Jesus. I know it has been a LONG time since Jesus said He would be coming again. People were waiting expectantly for Him to do so from the moment He left. Proof of that is, the disciples still gazing into Heaven right after His ascension. An angel had to tell them to get on with their mission.

The world has been living in “the last days” since the moment Jesus left. That was just under 2,000 years ago! That seems like a LONG time to hold out hope for something to happen. But to God it was only 2 days ago. So whose calendar are we looking at for being “on time” or “late?” GOD’S!!!

Remember how long it took for the first promise of a Savior to be fulfilled? That promise was first given to Adam and Eve in the garden right after they had sinned. That promise took THOUSANDS of years to be completed. But it was completed at the EXACT right time in history. One moment sooner or later wouldn’t have been appropriate. EVERYTHING fell into place EXACTLY as God had laid it out, BECAUSE He waited.

So our promise of Jesus’ return is the same. HE knows EXACTLY when the time is right. He knows what the circumstances need to be here on earth. He knows the BEST spiritual climate to bring it all together in. And He told us a little about what it will look like, but we will get into that another day.

We are to live like Jesus is returning in the next 5 minutes and work like He is returning so far in the future that we won’t personally see it. We honestly DON’T know when that moment will come. We also DON’T know when our last moment will come. Being ready regardless is the only safe way to live.

“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. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the Heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed” (verses 9-10). We are not there yet, but SOON! As God counts soon.

Thank You Father that I can count on Your promises! I KNOW You keep Your word! Forgive me for my childish impatience. There is SO much that I don’t understand about the end of days. What I do know though is that You are in charge. Since You hold the reigns I know that I am safe with You.

I KNOW I have not taken advantage of all the opportunities You have brought me over the years to share Your amazing love with others. Thank You for Your forgiveness for my stubbornness. Please help me to stop holding back when You call.

Help me also be patient as I wait. That has never been one of my strong talents. You have CERTAINLY been working on it over the years. Thank You for the progress I’ve seen and You persistence. Please keep working on me. I KNOW that is a scary prayer because to develop patience I have to exercise it. Protect me from myself during these exercises! I love You and trust You with the WHOLE process. YOU ARE FAITHFUL!