(The following is the November 18 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read 2 Peter 3 and pay close attention to verses 8-13.)

When Peter wrote about the coming day of the Lord, he reminded believers, “Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day” (v. 8). God is eternal. He has no beginning and no end, existing outside of time. That’s difficult to grasp since we live in a confined space and time.

Why does Peter raise this issue of God’s time? It helps us put into perspective God’s plan regarding Jesus’ second coming. Humans want problems resolved quickly. We generally don’t like to see significant matters unresolved. Even in something as insignificant as television entertainment, we want a complete storyline to play out to a successful conclusion in a single viewing. It can be frustrating to watch a show and see “To be continued” at the end.

God has a reason for the timing of Christ’s return: “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance” (v. 9). Our impatience in wanting Christ to return is the opposite of God’s patience which he demonstrates by waiting. If Christ returned now, everyone who doesn’t know him would suffer eternal condemnation. By waiting, more lost souls can come to Christ in repentance and faith.

Peter reminds Christians, “it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for the day of God and hasten his coming” (vv. 11-12). Let us focus on our part in the present and trust God to do his part at the right time. His timing is perfect.

Next Step:
Pray for more trust regarding God’s timing in your life. Confess situations where you try to force the resolution of something in your preferred timeframe rather than according to his perfect will.