Patience

 "Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation,”

— 2 Peter 3:15a

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

I forget that what seems like Your delay is actually Your patience. And the reason for Your patience is for people’s salvation. Romans 2:4 says, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.” It is Your patient waiting and Your kindness that opens the door for Your children to repent and turn to God. If You were to return today to exact judgment on the earth, billions would face an eternity in hell. Your patience gives people an opportunity to hear the Gospel, in some cases again and again, and make a decision about their eternity and whether to submit their life to You or remain in rebellion to You. Your patience means salvation for those I love and continue to pray for.

I also forget that Your timing is perfect. I want You to come right now to encounter the people I love who are far from You. I want You to bring conviction, reveal Your relentless love, lead them to repentance, and see them receive Your salvation—right now! What I can’t see is the reasoning behind Your patient waiting. What I can’t understand from this vantage point is what You are doing under the surface and behind the scenes. I’m looking at outward signs as evidence that You are working. When there are no outward signs, I have to trust by faith that Your patience means salvation. This phrase, “bear in mind,” also means “to have rule over, to lead, to command.” I am to have rule over and to command the thoughts I initially think about the Lord’s delay and count and consider Your delay as patience which means salvation.

Gracious Lord, thank You for Your patience. Were it not for Your patience toward me, I would have faced a tormenting eternity. It is only because of Your grace-filled patience that I turned to You when I heard Your Gospel. Now, may those I love have the same opportunity as You patiently wait for them to come to Your salvation.

— In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

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