2 Peter 3:8–15a (NRSV)
Read 2 Peter 3:8–15a on biblegateway.com
Verse 8But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.
Verse 9The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. Verse 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
Verse 11Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, Verse 12waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? Verse 13But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Verse 14Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; Verse 15and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,
Devotion
With a small child at home, my spouse and I experience days as a patchwork of messes, snacks, tiny pieces of play sets, and a lot of “big feelings.” But for our growing and learning toddler, the thing that still seems to escape her comprehension is time. For her, there is only now and anything else is unacceptable. It takes a lot of parental patience to practice letting her have those feelings and help her respond to them in a way that is safe for herself and those around her.
At the same time, I also admit that there’s a lot in this text that resonates with me as a human being. I am keenly aware of the tension and unpleasantness of waiting or not knowing what the future holds. Today, I’m trying to hear in this reading that it’s okay to have “big feelings”—and that God sees all of this; maybe God is trying not to laugh, trying to let me learn some self-regulation and perspective.
Prayer
Nurturing God, pull us close and hold us near to you with cords of love that cannot be broken. Help us to learn that living in your ways means trusting your wisdom; give us a sense of security and patience when we want things to happen now. As hard as it can be to live this out, keep us mindful that your time is the right time. Amen.