SCRIPTURE:
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9
OBSERVATION:
How we see time is much different than how God does. We often think that what we want are delayed, yet they are delivered on time – According to God’s timing. Here we read of God’s patience when it comes to our salvation. How many of us are glad that He didn’t come back BEFORE we said “Yes” to Him? Our perception of God’s delay in reality, reveals our readiness for that promise.
APPLICATION:
As a child, I thought I was ready for a lot of things. There were things my older siblings and friends were doing that I thought that I should have been able to as well. I didn’t realize it at the time, but my Dad was purposely holding back from doing so, because he knew I wasn’t ready for them yet. He was doing it to protect me…a lot of the time from myself.
When I first learned to ride my bike, I was allowed to ride it only in our yard. As I got better and more responsible, I was allowed to ride in the neighborhood. However, I needed to be home before the sun went down. One day I had argued with my Dad about being able to ride my bike a little later into the evening. Against his instructions, I rode in the darkness after the sun went down.
I ended up hitting a pothole, going over the handlebars headfirst and hitting my head on the pavement. When I got home, crying and in pain, my Dad wasn’t angry. Instead he looked at me with sadness. I didn’t understand it at the time, but he was saddened because he was trying to keep me safe and I just wouldn’t listen. I had to learn the hard way.
I wonder at times if that’s how God feels when we try to rush things we think we are ready for. All the while the delay is actually for our good, because we just aren’t ready for the fulfillment of the promise. I need to remember that God’s delays are not meant to harm me, but rather for my good.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord when I have tried to rush things I was not ready for. Thank You Lord for Your perfect timing. May I remember that You are always on time, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
