September 14
The Heart of
God's Delay
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Daily Steps
When practicing persistent prayer (Day 257), the new believer must understand the true reason behind delayed answers or the delay of ultimate prophecy (like Christ's return). This verse provides a powerful reassurance: God's "slowness" is actually an expression of His profound patience and love, driven by His desire for universal redemption.
The peace in this principle is found in understanding God's timing:
Challenging the Perception of Slowness: The verse confronts the human perception of time: The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. God operates outside of human chronometers; His timing is always perfect (Day 182). He is faithful, and His promises (The Assurance of the Amen, Day 230) are certain.
The Motivation is Patience: God's perceived delay is actually patience with you. His primary motive is not convenience or indifference, but a divine willingness to wait, providing ample time for believers to grow in faith (Day 254) and for the lost to be found.
The Goal is Repentance: The ultimate reason for delay is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. God's supreme desire is redemption (Day 225) and salvation. Every moment of delay is an open door for a soul to turn to Him. This shifts the focus of our waiting from anxiety over our own needs (Day 223) to intercession for the lost (Day 251).
Your peace is secured by God's patience. Embrace the Discipline of Prayer by viewing all delays through the lens of divine love, knowing that God is not slow, but patient, offering a continuous window for repentance and ultimate breakthrough.
Reflective Question
If God is being patient right now, who is one person you know who desperately needs to come to repentance? How does the knowledge that God is waiting for them change the way you will persistently pray for that person today?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my impatience and my tendency to misunderstand Your timing. I thank You for Your great patience and for the truth that You are not slow but profoundly loving. I pray that You would continue to extend Your patience, not wanting anyone to perish. Secure my peace today, as I use this time of waiting to intercede for the lost and align my heart with Your ultimate desire for repentance. Amen.
