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, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation.
2 Peter 3:8–15a
Our human perception of time is peculiar. In a busy season, time flies and suddenly months have passed without our knowing. Yet in a season of waiting — for the job, for the diagnosis, for the relationship — each day seems longer than the last.
So when we read in today’s scripture passage that “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day,” perhaps we can relate to a shifting perspective on time.
Our Heavenly Father, however, has the ultimate perspective. He is not bound by time. He not only knows our comings and our goings today and tomorrow, but he also has the full picture — not just of our lives, but of all humankind throughout time.
And even with that great perspective, He chooses to be patient with us. To wait for us. He’s patient when we stray from his way, he’s patient when we are slow to heed the Spirit’s prompting, and he’s patient even when we stubbornly resist his offer of grace. Because of His patience, we have the sweet promise of salvation that we celebrate this Adventide.
Upon reflecting on God’s immense patience with me, I recognize my impatience with Him to move on my time, as well as my impatience when dealing with my brothers and sisters. That friend who let me down again? That coworker who seems to always mess up their part? That family member who won’t admit they’re wrong? Oh, Lord, grant me an ounce of the patience you offer me.
While our God waits patiently for us, he tells us something about how we should wait for him: diligently. Each day this Advent season, may we be at peace as we turn to Him in thanks for his slow gift of salvation.
Allison Keep is a visiting assistant professor of music at Hope College.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.