2 Peter 3 Devotional

Patience That Means Salvation

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

Peter knew some would mock the promise that Christ will return. Where is he, they ask, since everything goes on as it always has (3:3-4)? Peter answers that they forget God's word once formed the world and once judged it with water, and that same word holds the present world for a coming day of judgment (3:5-7). With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like a day (3:8).

The delay is not slowness. It is patience. The Lord is holding back because he does not want anyone to perish, but wants all to come to repentance (3:9). Peter says it again near the end of the chapter: our Lord's patience means salvation (3:15). The day will still come suddenly, like a thief, and God's people look forward to new heavens and a new earth where righteousness is at home (3:10-13). Every day the world continues is another day of God's kindness. That is why Peter's final word is not anxiety but growth, in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (3:18).

To think about: How could seeing today as a gift of God's patience shape the way you spend it?