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5/21 Reading Portions: Numbers 30; Psalm 74; Isaiah 22; 2 Peter 3
Listen to the audio devotional above, and/or read the written devotional below.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
ETERNAL
No one was timelier than our Lord, Jesus Christ. He was born in the fullness of time (Gal 4:4). His public ministry began exactly when it should. When Lazarus died, the Lord’s arrival at the tomb was ordained for such a time as to fulfill every purpose under heaven for the Father’s glory (John 11). Each detail of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection occurred at precisely the proper moment it was intended on heaven’s clock. When the Lord Jesus returns, it will be at the exact instant God means for it to take place; and not one second sooner or one second later.
Yes, we do look forward to the coming of Christ; yet it is never done so apart from the present reality of our growth in grace. Christ’s patience in returning is for our benefit unto Christ’s exaltation and the Father’s glory. Christ’s patience is toward us so that we may discover every opportunity to repent. There is much to repent of daily because of the corruptions which still remain in us. Each moment we are on the planet before Christ’s return is an opportunity for us to cast our complete trust upon Jesus. Since we’ve been saved by God’s grace, we are eternal people; therefore, our submission to the Father’s time schedule is even more important, more glorious in the advancement of Christ’s kingdom. We must endeavor to be on God’s perfect time with our eyes never departing from Christ’s cross; and that, empowered by His grace. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Christ Jesus is longsuffering
Toward us whom God has call’d.
Its not a boast in arrogance
Says Peter, also Paul.
Yet, it’s a truth straight from God’s Word,
Exalting sovereign grace,
In Christ alone to glorify
God’s will, His choice, His place.