We may have a tendency to become discouraged if events don’t occur according to our timetable. We must realize that God orders our stops as well as our steps. God’s timing is perfect, He is not too early and He is never late. The Apostle Peter warned us that in the last days that mockers will come saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” Peter encouraged the believers with an understanding of time from God’s perspective:

But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9)

We must understand that God is above our concept of time. The concept of past, present, and future is a human construct due to our finite limitations. We may think that God is slow according to our timetable, but He is actually patient toward us. God’s compassion is revealed as we see that He does not want any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. This is an important lesson for us to put into practice – do we see people as God sees them? Thomas A Kempis advised, “Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.” Peter then informed the people of the certainty of the Lord’s return:

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be discovered. (2 Peter 3:10)

In light of the Lord’s return, Peter challenged the believers to be holy in conduct and godliness and hastening the coming of the day of the Lord:

Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by Him, at peace, (2 Peter 3:14)

The word spotless literally means without blemish, it is a picture of one who is irreproachable. The word blameless describes one who is without fault. As we live in accordance with God’s timetable, we must be on guard and rest in His promises, knowing the God’s word is sure and steadfast:

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unscrupulous people and lose your own firm commitment, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:17-18)

May we realize that the best use of our lives is to learn to invest it in eternity.

Rick Higgins

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark