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. 2 Pet. 3:8-9 (NIV)
Heavenly Father, thank you for being so patient with our impatience. You’ve never been late for anything. “Swiss timing” is tardiness, compared to the precision of your promptness. You never oversleep, have a “senior moment,” or get distracted. Your glorious story of redemption and restoration is right on schedule. You will send Jesus back for us at just the right time. That grand Day will happen, not a day early and not a day late.
And how we long for Jesus’ return. No more death, pain, or mourning; no more knowing in part or loving in part; no more goodbyes or good riddance’s; no more disappointing others or being disappointed; no more silent betrayals or loud rejections; nor more broken hearts or broken anything; no more heartaches or even heartburn; no more terror in our streets or tensions in our marriages; no more stress fractures or stressful days; no more late flights or church fights. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Though we don’t always understand or agree with your ways, there’s no panic or second-guessing in heaven today. You are über faithful. Help us be full of faith. Though it’s hard to imagine why you haven’t answered certain prayers we’ve offered, with a quick and big “Yes!” nevertheless, you do all things well. You gave Jesus for our sins; certainly we can trust you to give us everything else we really need, when we need it.
So grant us grace in our waiting, strength in our weariness, and wisdom in our bewilderment. And in the meantime, help us to be more attentive to the needs of others. Fill our hearts with kindness and gentleness, as we bear one another’s burdens. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ compassionate and grace-full name.
