But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Job 16:5 (NIV)
| Not Slow by Cathy Vinson |
How do we account the slowness of God? Slackness? Sluggishness? As we learn about the kindness of God, we realize He endures a waiting period for us to repent. To His own grief, He waits patiently. He is long-suffering, a word in the Hebrew meaning "long nose," or long fuse. 1 Peter 3:20 mentions those who disobeyed "long ago when God WAITED PATIENTLY in the days of Noah while the ark was being built." After God's plan was made to Noah, He waited 120 years for repentance. God waited; they disobeyed. Because there was "patience" in His wait, it seems He would have waited yet another week if there was repentance. Is this slackness? What is it that slows God? What is giving us another day to live and breathe, and hopefully repent? Great love slackens our God. Love slows Him. God is love. We must know that our days are filled with God's forbearance, His longing desire for more and more to repent for Christ. The passage of time MEANS the patience of the Lord, and "bear in mind that the patience of the Lord means salvation" (2 Pet 3:15). Let us not sin against the beauty of a waiting God. |
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"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9) |
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