A WORD FOR TODAY, May 13, 2025
Peggy Hoppes
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Blessings. Peg
A WORD FOR TODAY, May 13, 2025
“But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat; and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be destroyed like this, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness, looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, which will cause the burning heavens to be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without defect and blameless in his sight. Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.” 2 Peter 3:8-15a, WEB
The people in Peter’s day were hopeful for Christ’s return. They were expecting Him at any moment. They were even beginning to doubt the words of Jesus because it seemed to be taking so long. They wondered where He might be and why He was late. There were, I’m sure, even some who were trying to find a way to hasten His coming. In the past two thousand years there have been many people who have tried to foretell the time and day when the Lord would come, and some even acted in ways they thought would force God’s hand. Cults exist because people often believe that they know God better than He knows Himself and they are determined to fulfill God’s promises in their own way.
We are no different. The end times is a topic that finds its way into many conversations. It is found in the media. Though not explicitly religious, many television shows interpret the idea of the end of the world in new and frightening ways. There are plenty of books, both fiction and nonfiction, that deal with the issues and the interpretation of the signs. Of course, every time there is a natural disaster someone will cry, “This is it!”
It is interesting to think about the scriptures and what they mean for us as Christians today. We have to be ready because it is true that Christ could come at any moment. However, the focus on the end times often leads us to stop living to watch and wait. Jesus calls us to live for today; we look forward to that Day of the Lord, but we should not make it the entire focus of our faith. Rushing the coming of the Lord will leave us frustrated. When we are too busy waiting, we miss the opportunities to bring Jesus to the world in life changing ways.
We talked about time in yesterday’s devotion, and we were reminded that time for God is much different than for us. Peter tells us that a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day for God. What has taken forever for us has only been a moment for Him. The time has not yet come because everything is not yet ready. God is patient because not everyone for whom the promise has been given has heard it. There is great hope in this message: God does not want any to perish. He is patient and longsuffering. Christ will not come until all is ready.
In this passage, written for the believers, Peter says that God is, “longsuffering to you-ward.” There is work for us to do, and God is giving us the time. Those who have yet to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ are out there in the world, walking in darkness. We are the light, sent to give hope and peace to all whom God has chosen. God is patient, not for those who haven’t heard, but for us. He is waiting until we do what we have been called to do. God’s patience is our salvation. He is waiting until we have accomplished all He has commanded us to do. It might happen in this generation, but it might not happen for another thousand years. After all, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day to God. He will fulfill His promises in His time according to His word.
A WORD FOR TODAY is posted five days a week – Monday through Friday. The devotional on Wednesday takes a look at the scripture from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday. A WORD FOR TODAY is posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Word-for-Today-Devotional/339428839418276. Like the page to receive the devotion through Facebook. For information and to access our archives, visit http://www.awordfortoday.org