Have you ever considered how God’s patience is the reason we are still waiting for His return?
I struggle with this and yet, at the same time, it comforts me. Not a day goes by that I don’t wonder why God has tarried so long. There are moments when this world seems as if it can’t get any worse…and then it does.
Raising kids in a world that is divided in its morals, filled with sinful temptations and ready to pounce on anyone who tries to speak truth, is worrisome. So, why does God continue to keep us here?
He is patient.
His character is something we can only strive to comprehend, but in His Word we learn of His longsuffering. That seems like what we are doing -suffering for a long time. But that’s not what it means. The Lord is patient and hasn’t yet returned because He loves sinners. Way more than I do. Often, I am consumed with protecting myself and my children from the outside world. I want this all to end so we can experience the holiness of Heaven. But wait. So many people would be excluded from this experience. Even people I know and say that I love. My eagerness and selfishness is similar to wishing people would go to hell.
God is waiting so more souls can be saved. (2 Peter 3:9)
The children who feel that suicide is their only option? They need Jesus. The woman who demands her right to have an abortion? She needs Jesus. The gay men who fight for their right to be married? They need Jesus. The Muslims persecuting Christians? They need Jesus. We all need Him. Not the Jesus the world tries to create, but the One the Bible clearly describes. For those of us who know His salvation, we must learn His patience too.
We were once lost, but in His patience, God found us. And in His mercy, He is sanctifying us in preparation for eternity with Him. In the meantime, we must practice patience. We can’t forget that God isn’t idle in His patience. He is working. He is drawing people to Himself. Are we following His example and trusting Him by being patient? Patient through prayer. (Romans 12:12) Patient through doing good works. (Galatians 6:9) Patient through sharing the good news. (Mark 16:15) Patient as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)
We don’t know how long Almighty God will continue to be patient, but we must come to a point where we praise Him for this prolonged opportunity. Our momentary discomfort is worth it when compared to the eternal separation of a soul without Jesus. It’s time to take our responsibility as Christians seriously. When we are seeking God and loving Him above all else, it changes how we live and what we desire in life. It affects how we raise our children. It impacts how we spend our “free time”.
When we pray “come quickly Lord Jesus”, we can’t harden our hearts toward the unsaved. We can’t become impatient with God and demand to be taken out of this mess. Instead, we must show our eagerness for His coming by being devoted to His Kingdom work. It begins in our hearts and in our homes.
God is sovereign and all-knowing. He hasn’t forgotten us. He will return just as He has promised!
“He Who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all.” (Revelation 22:20-21)
Seeking Wisdom,
