Ultimate Patience

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9

I know firsthand how difficult it is to pray for something or someone when even after years of praying the answer doesn’t seem any closer than it did the day that prayer was first prayed. I also know firsthand that when the answer finally does come it is always worth waiting for and that the Lord’s timing is never a moment too soon or a moment too late. I believe that He not only hears us the very instant we pray but that He has foreseen that prayer and has already made provision to answer it. I also believe that when that prayer is for the salvation of another He sets in motion events that will bring about a lasting work, not a quick fix. It is because He loves us so much that He is patient in answering our prayers and perhaps through His example He’s teaching us to be patient as we wait.

He hears our prayers instantly; He’s just not into instant answers. It is only through patience that a complete and lasting work can be done and it is that patience, both His and ours, that is going to draw others to repentance. Aren’t you thankful for His patience toward His children?