Devotional on 2 Peter 3:9
“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 (ESV)
Waiting is hard—especially when it feels like God is delaying. In 2 Peter 3, believers were beginning to wonder why Jesus had not yet returned, just as people still ask today: “Why is God waiting? Why hasn’t He come back yet?”
Peter gives a powerful answer in verse 9: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness.” God is never late. His timing is not like ours. What we see as delay, He sees as mercy.
God’s patience is not a sign of neglect but of love. He is giving time—precious time—for people to repent and turn to Him. His heart is revealed in this verse: “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” The Lord’s desire is not to condemn, but to save. He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11), but longs for all to come to eternal life.
This is both a comfort and a call. For the believer, it’s a reminder of God’s great mercy—He waited for us, didn’t He? His patience gave us the opportunity to hear the gospel and be saved. Now, we are called to live in readiness, not complacency. His delay is not permission to drift but an opportunity to share His message with those who still need Him.
For those still far from God, this verse is an invitation. There is still time. His arms are open. He is patiently calling you to repentance—a turning away from sin and a turning to Christ for forgiveness and life.
Let us not take His patience for granted. Let us be urgent in our faith, faithful in our witness, and grateful for a God who waits because He loves.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your patience and mercy. Help me to use the time You’ve given to grow in holiness and to share the gospel with others. Let me never mistake Your delay for distance, but always trust in Your perfect timing and loving purpose. Amen.
Thank You and God Bless
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