“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
2Pet.3.9
Discussion
The long-suffering of God is the reason we enjoy His mercy and forgiveness. Even when there's every reason for us to be severely punished, God would endure for long in order to give us ample opportunity to repent and therefore avert the full measure of the consequences of our wrong doing. Take for example, there was once a king in Judah named Jeroboam. He singlehandedly led Israel into national idolatry. He completely turned against God. A young prophet was therefore sent to deliver the prophetic judgment of God to the land and their altars of idolatry. Read 1Kgs.13.2. The prophecy declared that God's judgment would come through a soon to be born king named Josiah. You would think that this would be fulfilled at least within the following decade, but no! It took a period of approximately 250 years and the life times of at least 15 kings of Judah before Josiah was born and became king at 8 years old. God continued to give them the opportunity to repent but they consistently turned against God. The long-suffering of God was taken for granted until there was no other option but for the prophecy of severe judgment to be fulfilled. It's the same today. The church has been preaching the gospel and warning the whole world of impending destruction. An overwhelming multitude including many so-called Christians are taking this warning for granted. It's been over 2000 years since the Lord Jesus resurrected and is being preached all over the world. We've been preaching that condemnation and destruction await everyone who refuses to believe and receive eternal life in Christ. Peter preached it. John preached it. Paul preached it. And now it's been over 2000 years and we're still preaching it. This is how powerful the long-suffering of God is. Not wanting anyone to perish, He endures longer. But make no mistake, just as God's judgment eventually came upon Judah in the days of Josiah, so will this age soon come to an end and every unbeliever and sinner will be condemned. You've got today again as an opportunity. If you are reading this and you aren’t saved, Believe and receive eternal life in Christ Jesus right now. And if you already are a Believer, preach the gospel to somebody today. Shalom Uvracha!
Meditation
John.3.18 — He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.