It's About Time

"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."  (2 Peter 3:8-9)

Time is an odd concept. I looked up the word 'time' in Webster's dictionary and found about 15 uses of the word 'time.'  And that was just in the section defining the noun form of the word: there were additional definitions when the word is used as a verb.  Think of the casual phrases we use in our conversations: "We are out of time."  "Please do this in a timely manner." "It's about time that happened."  "I have to work overtime today."  "We had a good time at the party."  "Time's up, put down your pencil" and on and on.

It's clear that in the above two verses Peter wants to inform us about "God's timing."  I have to admit that one day = thousand years just seems similar to the "time flies when you're having fun" sentiment. But Paul is informing us of a different aspect of time. Here is what John Calvin wrote regarding this passage:

"The Lord defers his coming that he might invite all mankind to repentance. For our minds are always prurient, and a doubt often creeps in, why he does not come sooner. But when we hear that the Lord, in delaying, shows a concern for our salvation, and that he defers the time because he has a care for us, there is no reason why we should any longer complain of tardiness. He is tardy who allows an occasion to pass by through slothfulness: there is nothing like this in God, who in the best manner regulates time to promote our salvation. And as to the duration of the whole world, we must think exactly the same as of the life of every individual; for God by prolonging time to each, sustains him that he may repent. In the like manner he does not hasten the end of the world, in order to give to all time to repent."

What a compassionate God we serve!  He is delaying because He wants all His people to repent. What does this mean practically? There have been periods of distress in my life when I have cried out, "Come, Lord Jesus!" and I meant at that very moment. Nevertheless, I really do want all my family and friends to turn to Jesus Christ so that they will be by my side when our Redeemer returns. Time is a precious commodity, and it is in God's hands. We should be patient as we wait for all of the Lord's children to be brought home. It is a good thing that God is not rushing His providence with no concern for others. Instead He is giving everyone "time to repent." Thank you, Lord!