2 Pet 3:9

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" 2 Pet 3:9

"Honey, we need to be going. You know how I hate being late." "I'll be ready in a minute. I have to put the finishing touches on my makeup and then put on my dress, and I'll be ready." Every man knows what that means: sit down, turn on the TV, and watch ten minutes of whatever is on TV. You will be late, unfashionably so, and there is nothing you can do about it. It makes no difference if the engagement is a church service, or a visit with the Queen, or dinner at the Peninsula; you will be late so get used to it.

Often, my friends and I talk about how it can't be long before the Lord returns. All the signs seem to be in place (if we ignore a few) and the world certainly can't get any worse... can it? What is keeping the Lord from accomplishing the final tasks and returning tomorrow or the next day or next year. "Maranatha!" we shout: "Lord, come quickly." Still, the time is not yet and the earth continues to spin on it's axis just like it has for 6,000 or so years.

Isn't it interesting that John finished the Book of Revelation longing for the soon return of the Lord? And Peter tells us to be patient that the Lord will be on time. In the previous verse, Peter had told his readers that with the Lord a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. That certainly doesn't fit with the math we teach in secondary school or university! No wonder it is hard to figure exactly when the Lord will return!

While humans have a bad habit of being time conscious, it seems that the Lord has his own time schedule. One thing is certain from Peter's explanation; the Lord is NEVER late... by His own timing. Another thing is certain; the Lord knows exactly when on time is on time. Oh, one more thing is certain; the Lord keeps His promises...every one of them, and He keeps them exactly on time.

Moses appeared exactly on time to redeem Israel. David appeared on the scene exactly when his services were needed. The prophets appeared one after the other exactly on schedule. The Messiah came exactly when He was needed to redeem the world. Paul was chosen as an apostle to the gentiles... exactly on time.

And each event was promised and delivered... exactly on time. With these and many more examples, we can be assured that the promises we have been given by the Lord will come... exactly on time... never early... never late... just when we need those promises, those answers to prayer, those dire needs met. The next time you feel like the Lord has abandoned you, remember that His timing is perfect. It is our timing that is inferior. Oh, and about the return of the Lord, it will come on time... His time. I may desire that return today, but my desires are mostly self-motivated. His motivations are towards grace. With every day the return is delayed, hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions have one more opportunity to turn to Jesus and be saved from certain eternal death. Amen and Amen.