But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you. 2 Pet. 3:8-9 (NIV)
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for being patient with our impatience. You’ve never been late for anything. “Swiss timing” is tardiness, compared to the precision of your faithfulness. As this text affirms, you will send Jesus to finish making all things new, at just the right time. That grand Day will happen, not a nanosecond early or late.
And how we long for that Day. No more death, pain, or mourning; no more knowing in part or loving in part; no more goodbyes or good riddance’s; no more disappointing others or being disappointed; no more betrayals or rejections; nor more broken hearts or broken anything; no more human trafficking or even bad traffic; no more unreached people groups, just your whole every-nation family worshipping you in the new heaven and new earth.
But Father, your faithfulness isn’t just tied to the timing of the second coming, but to everything else as well. Indeed, there’s no panic or second-guessing in heaven today. Unlike us, you’re not distracted or perplexed about anything. Though it’s hard to imagine why you haven’t given us a “Yes” to certain prayers, we affirm with an even bigger “YES” that you do all things well. You gave Jesus for our sins; certainly we can trust you to give us everything else we really need.
So grant us grace in our waiting, strength in our weariness, and wisdom in our bewilderment. And in the meantime, help us be more attentive to the needs of others. Help us more freely share the gospel, wherever we are. Fill our hearts with kindness and gentleness, as we bear one another’s burdens and encourage one another. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ compassionate and grace-full name.
