I appreciate your patience with me this month. I committed to writing for 31 Days on Bible Verses about Patience. This month has really thrown me for a great BIG loop. Needless to say, writing verses about patience took a back seat to trying to live verses about patience. All part of God’s divine timing right. And that’s what this verse from 2 Peter is all about, God’s timing, “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.” I don’t know about you, but there are some things I am praying for and about right now and I really would have appreciated an answer, like yesterday! Thankfully I have the grace to look back during times like this. I can look back to a time when I could.not.understand. why God didn’t answer my prayers–no, my cries for help! I figured He knew how much I was suffering so where was He? Why was He not answering me? The truth–you know it and I know it now–the truth is He was answering me. In His loving patience, He drew me closer to Himself and His Word. Were it not for His “slowness” I would not have grown in closer friendship with Him. I would not have clung to Him for my very next breath or thought. I would probably not have started reading my Bible.
Bible Verses About Patience
Ever heard the song by Garth Brooks, “Unanswered Prayers.” Ever heard the quote by St. Teresa of Avila, “There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers.” According to those two quotes, God can’t win for losing so He might as well answer how He wants. After all, He knows it all anyway. And if He’s going to answer how He wants, He might as well answer when He wants.
What would have happened if He would have immediately answered Jesus’ prayer, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me;”
The friendships we wanted to keep forever? The boyfriends we knew were The One? The jobs we knew we had to have? The house or car that was “perfect?” The right timing for a baby or no timing at all? All of those prayers were or were not answered in God’s perfect time. Or should I say our perfect time in God’s design. It’s not just the one prayer–it’s how that prayer affects our eternal life for the good or bad.
I find the older I get, the more I appreciate God’s timing. According to this verse, instead of timing, it’s His patience. Instead of not answering my temporary or temporal prayer–He’s got my eternal welfare at heart. And He’s always calling me back to Himself…repentance=closer friendship.
*I am loving my Travelers Notebook from Blitsy and the Illustrated Faith Bible journaling goodies from Dayspring! The cute little “He Delivers” and stamps are from the “Lists By Faith” monthly devotional.
This is beautiful and true Jenny. Perfect timing.
God’s timing is perfect 🙂
I appreciate you Michelle!