Slow?

Slow?

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 NIV

Context and Charge:

When you consider all the messages about the return of Jesus, what comes to mind? Like the men in the days of Peter, they had heard this message several times, and it seems it was now losing its appeal. Truly, consider all the generations that have come and gone, replaced by other generations, yet the message is the same: Jesus is coming back. In that 'monotonous' message is a warning: the consistency of the message means it must be true. Men have come with all sorts of messages, and have also died, and if Jesus delays his return, other men will still arise, but the message remains the same: 'He is coming back'. If I consider Jesus to be the Truth, why would I accept his other truths, and reject this one as a lie?

If other promises of God are true and continue to come to pass, why is it difficult for me to accept the truth of this one? Is it because it speaks of a time that no one on earth can define with any measure of certainty? Men love to plan, and we love to have some constants to help us plan for the variables. As it is in the physical, so is it in the spiritual: We have the constant, which is the promise of the return of Jesus. All I can do is to plan for the variable of everyday life, not forgetting to ensure that all the variable plan line up with the constant. Whatever it is that I do, I must be focused on the constant. All other variable plans are subject to change and may be amended, but I must not tamper with the constant. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

When you think God is slow, think of his nature of mercy and judgement. The fact that you are saved does not make you any better than those who are yet to be, because all you have received is mercy. It is mercy that extends salvation to ALL men, no matter how terrible their past or present is. It is mercy that seems to keep the earth as it is, so that many people may come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. God's patience is a blessing, but which is only good for as long as I am on earth. and like all blessings, they are only good for as long as I am alive. When Jesus returns, judgement and eternal reward are the only relevant matters to consider. Please take advantage of the patience of God today; tomorrow is really not assured. God's time of favour is here.