GOD'S TIME…WAIT, and MEANWHILE

Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-14

TIME

Time is a strange and fascinating thing, isn’t it? It incorporates past, present, and future in a continuing progression, where, in a nano-second, this present moment becomes the past and the future is now the present. We can only speak of time in these three terms, as seen in a few quotes about time:

• ·         “Time and tide wait for no man.” (St Marher, 1225)
• ·         “Study the past of you would define the future.” (Confucius)
• ·         “Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” (Mother Theresa)

This concept of time is all we humans have to work with – but God is not limited by earthly definitions. His day could be 1000 years, or more or less. So when Jesus promises to return some day, He is speaking in heavenly terms, while we are restricted to our human reason regarding day and time.

We believe His promise as expressed in this gospel chorus:

            Coming again, coming again,

            Maybe morning, maybe noon,

            Maybe evening, maybe soon.

            Coming again, coming again.

            Oh, what a wonderful day that will be,

            Jesus is coming again! *

WAIT

Yet we are left waiting for the Day – not knowing what hour, day, week, month, year, century it may be…and most often not very patiently! We say, “Come, Lord Jesus, deliver me from...” Or, “The world has become so evil, why don’t you come back now?” We think He is taking His good old time to keep His promise. But, the Lord is not slow – He is patient. He desires that all have opportunity to repent (vs 9). He will come at precisely the right time – just as He did the first time.

"But, when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman,

born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under

the Law…" (Galatians 4:4-5)

MEANWHILE

So we continue to wait, but, in the meanwhile, how shall we wait?

• ·         Looking up into the heavens, hoping to be the first to see Him descending?
• ·         Listening to men’s predictions and gathering on a hillside awaiting His return?
• ·         Or perhaps following Peter’s advice for a more active, productive waiting strategy?

Here is what Peter has to say regarding waiting for the Day of the Lord (in vs 11-14):

• ·         Grow in the qualities of goodness and holy character
• ·         Dwell in expectant hope of His coming
• ·         Be at peace with God and others
• ·         Live in obedience

So I can be encouraged that God’s timing is perfect regarding Christ’s return, and that in the meantime, I have plenty to do to help further His kingdom during God’s “patient time.”

*by John W Peterson, 1957