Monday, June 02, 2003
Only the Truth!, June 2003
Is God slow to act? Does God procrastinate? Is He lazy? In II Peter 3:8,9 it says "... With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.". It seems to me, that slowness, or patience is a tool God uses. After all, God created the earth in seven day, so he is obviously familiar with getting a lot done quickly. So, why does God appear to act slowly sometimes? Why doesn't he just heal my health problems, or fix me so I won't want to sin any more? The answer to these questions, is as usual simple, but it is not an answer that we particularly want to hear. God allows us to remain unhealed, and he allows us to continue to desire the things of the flesh for our own good. "All things work together for the good of those who love Him (Jesus)". It doesn't say "most things", or "some things", it says "all things". It says that everything that happens to us, though us, and around us, is for our good. God's definition of good for me, must be different than mine, and it is. God is patient, because he wants us to learn that we don't need to handle life's difficulties on our own. Not only do I not need to handle problems myself, but I shouldn't even try, because only God can provide the correct solution, and the power to accomplish that solution. A little later in the II Peter 3:15 God provides an additional encouragement: "Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation...". Some people think that verse means God is waiting for all of the elect to be saved, but in this context I believe it has an additional meaning for those of us that are already Christians. It tells us that God is patiently waiting for us to learn to place our trust in him, through all the difficulties, and all the health problems we encounter. God will wait.... until we "Get it", until we give up the things of this world and focus on the One that will still be here when everything else has passed away. Jesus! ¶ 9:33 AM
Is God slow to act? Does God procrastinate? Is He lazy? In II Peter 3:8,9 it says "... With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.". It seems to me, that slowness, or patience is a tool God uses. After all, God created the earth in seven day, so he is obviously familiar with getting a lot done quickly. So, why does God appear to act slowly sometimes? Why doesn't he just heal my health problems, or fix me so I won't want to sin any more? The answer to these questions, is as usual simple, but it is not an answer that we particularly want to hear. God allows us to remain unhealed, and he allows us to continue to desire the things of the flesh for our own good. "All things work together for the good of those who love Him (Jesus)". It doesn't say "most things", or "some things", it says "all things". It says that everything that happens to us, though us, and around us, is for our good. God's definition of good for me, must be different than mine, and it is. God is patient, because he wants us to learn that we don't need to handle life's difficulties on our own. Not only do I not need to handle problems myself, but I shouldn't even try, because only God can provide the correct solution, and the power to accomplish that solution. A little later in the II Peter 3:15 God provides an additional encouragement: "Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation...". Some people think that verse means God is waiting for all of the elect to be saved, but in this context I believe it has an additional meaning for those of us that are already Christians. It tells us that God is patiently waiting for us to learn to place our trust in him, through all the difficulties, and all the health problems we encounter. God will wait.... until we "Get it", until we give up the things of this world and focus on the One that will still be here when everything else has passed away. Jesus! ¶ 9:33 AM
