Have you forgotten that He was patient with you?

dailylivingministries

February 8

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
(2 Peter 3:9 (NIV))

Have you ever made a promise that has taken a long time to come true because you had to wait for the right time to make it happen?

One such promise that comes to mind is my wedding vow to my wife. I promised to love her. That was the seed that I planted. That did not end the moment that we got married. It is a promise that has seen a long time of maturity and growth. It is a promise that was cultivated. It is a promise that has taken on many different forms in our relationship. It is a promise that has seen us through good times and bad. It is a promise that has been with us as we raised our children. It is a promise that is still true today as we experience yet another chapter in our lives together.

What would have happened if one of us had not been willing to wait for maturity and growth?

Take a serious look at how long it took you to come to a knowledge of the saving grace that is only available through accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Did it happen instantly, or did it take some time?

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.
(1 Corinthians 3:6-8 (NIV))

Faith is often compared to seeds. Take a look at the parable of the mustard seed. Take a look at the parable of the sower. Both of these indicate, just as Paul did, that there is a time between the planting of the seed, or hearing the Gospel, and the seed sprouting and growing to maturity. A farmer does not plant and immediately expect to harvest. A farmer does not plant and immediately plow the field under because nothing grew.

On the contrary, the farmer is patient. He waits for the proper time. He understands that there will be a bountiful harvest if he waits.

Now, take a look at your desire to have Jesus return. There is nothing wrong with this desire, for we all want to see Jesus, but are we being selfish? Are we wanting to rush His return before others have a chance to accept Him as Lord and Savior?

I realize that we are seeing many things in this world that point to His return, but we must not stop telling people about Jesus. We must not stop sharing the good news that leads to salvation.

We must not forget that we were also once a sinner in need of a Savior!

Have you forgotten that He was patient with you?

Copyright 1998 - 2024 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
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