RPG Adults
THE LONGSUFFERING LORD
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
2 Peter 3:8-9
Psalm 90:1-12
“…thy law is my delight.”
THE LONGSUFFERING LORD
The Psalmist constantly made a contrast between man’s limited time and God’s eternity. Man is like grass, his life lasting a short time then withering away (Ps 103:15-16). God, on the other hand, is eternal, therefore His mercy and grace never fail.
In this portion, God’s eternity is viewed in another way. Because God is eternal, He views time differently from man. Man’s short life causes him to be constantly concerned with the pressure of time. But God’s eternal existence gives time a different perspective. Thus, Peter quoted the Psalmist in saying that a day or a thousand years are the same to God, they are but a drop in eternity (2 Pet 3:8; Ps 90:4).
Because the Second Coming of Christ and the impending judgment have been so long delayed, man thinks that it will probably not take place. Unbelievers scoff at what they see as the failure of the prophets’ message. The failure, however, is not with God but with unbelieving mankind. Without faith they cannot begin to understand the eternal God nor His love and concern for the lost.
While man scoffs, God in His mercy patiently waits. In loving kindness, the eternal Creator has placed the final judgment in the future in order to give sinful man an opportunity for salvation. In Noah’s day, God showed the same mercy and longsuffering (1 Pet 3:20). But at the appointed time, the flood came and sin was judged. The Judge of all the earth takes no pleasure in the death of wicked men, but would have all to come to the truth (Ezek 18:23). So, He waits in mercy and grace. And while waiting, He appoints His people to preach the message of salvation and coming judgment, even as the prophets before them. The judgment is sure. The end is at hand. We must be about the Father’s business.
THOUGHT: Why is the Second Coming not here yet?
PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for Thy mercy, for it “is from everlasting to everlasting upon them” who fear Thee (Ps 103:17).