The Patience of God

The Purpose

2 Peter 3:1–2 NIV

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

Peter comes out of warning his hearers about false teachers among them and from Ewing false teachers themselves to once again remind their hearts and minds of the purpose of his writing, to point their minds and hearts toward God Himself and His response to the world in which they live.

Peter points to the truth that the reason for his continual reminding is that in doing so they might follow in God’s footsteps. The Christian is called to be a little Christ, or in other words a reflection of the Lord to the world. Remember earlier when Peter was used the picture of the testing done by the silversmith to purify the silver that it would reflect the silversmith.

Peter desires to remind his hearers of the purpose of the Lord and the means by which he reminds them is to point them back to the words of the prophets and the commands given. Peter reminds us that the teachings of the prophets and the commands of the law tell the same story of the Lord that the gospel tells. God’s purpose for mankind, his plan of salvation has not changed from the very beginning. God has been faithfully pursuing our hearts in the same manner that he pursued the hearts of the people of the Old Testament.

Remain Steadfast

2 Peter 3:3–7 NIV

Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

Peter now makes intentionally shifts the readers perspective to see the means and ways by which the Lord has been fulfilling His promise. There were those who were looked at the evil that was overtaking their world and they began to lose faith. Where was this hope that the Lord had promised? Where is Jesus? Today, as we look at the brokenness and darkness around us, it is so easy to be wrapped up in it and to wonder, how could God allow us to endure this? What more must He see to know that now is the time to return?

Peter encourages our souls by reminding us that no matter how bad it seems, it has been worse. And no matter how bad it seems now, God is still in control just like He was at the dawn of creation and at the darkest hours of human history.

When we allow our perspective to rest in our current circumstances, we deliberately forget what God has made known to our hearts. God has indwelt us with the Holy Spirit, who has existed since before time began. We have in us the continual preaching of God Himself And yet, we allow our circumstances to lead us away from the Lord to sit in the despair of the moment.

When we fail to turn to the One who has indwelt us, the One who purchased our very lives, the One who has sealed us for greater things, we deliberately forget the faithful hand of God at work. We are guilty of intentionally turning our back on what God desires for us.

The Patience of God

2 Peter 3:8–9 NIV

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 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.

Peter closes his reminder to them by once again shifting the perspective of the hearer. Peter points them to the timing of the Lord. Peter states that to the Lord, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. Here, Peter is quoting Psalm 90:4. Peter is reminding us the hearer that God is not like man and neither is his timing. What seems like forever to man, God sees as a mere moment and what seems to happen so quickly, the Lord has seen carefully unfolding before Him.

We so often get so wrapped up in the time that it takes for things to happen and this is so true when it comes to justice and mercy. We want justice to be swift and mercy to be patient. When God does not follow our time schedule, we struggle. Peter reminds us that God is not subject to our timing but rather that He is sovereign over time.

As believers allow our perspective to shift in alignment to the Lord, our perspective allows our eyes to see how God is working. Barnett writes it this way, Faith orients man to eternity whereas scoffers remain children of time.

Peter closes by reminding the reader that God’s sovereignty over time is seen in God’s use of time to fulfill His purpose. God is not being slow but rather He is being a patient, Longing to save all people.

God knows the cost of swift justice. His love for His creation moves Him to mercy. Just as the Lord was patient with us, He is patient with those around Him.

God’s purpose is to save those who are far. It is hard to believe that we have been on Coronavirus watch for 7 months. God desires us to reflect Him to the world. We are called to reflect the same patience and the same pursuit.