“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”
as some count slackness
We cannot measure God by our standards. God’s delay is a matter of His longsuffering. God has a designated time for dealing with the world. God delay does not originate in His unwillingness or impotence to discharge His promise.
but is longsuffering toward us
“Longsuffering” is forbearance (Exodus 34:6). To have “longsuffering” is to be long-tempered, to bear with. It is a quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation. Longsuffering does not hastily retaliate or quickly punish. It is the opposite of anger. Mercy is often associated with this quality (Exodus 34:6; Romans 2:4; 1 Peter 3:20). Longsuffering does not surrender to situations. It does not fall under trial. A longsuffering person has patience despite difficulties. God executes unfathomable patience toward us.
Principle:
God is long-tempered with us.
Application:
God has infinite patience with those who reject Him. He does not violate man’s will. He created man as a free agent and He respects that agency.
It is wonderful God does not judge us the way we judge others. God deals in facts, not subjective judgments. “I don’t have the facts but I have made up my mind. I don’t like you so you have had it.” Longsuffering is an attitude of love. It does not mean grudgingly holding back, while nursing the urge to. No, God’s love takes up the slack.
If we operate like God, we will be long-tempered towards Him. Therefore, it is no longer a question of “Lord, why have you not provided me with the success I want?” When we love the Lord, we do not ask that. We know He is faithful to His promises. Or, we say, “I want it now.” The Lord says, “Ten years if you are lucky!” Because we love the Lord, we trust Him to give it in His timing. Patience is the perpetuation of love.
One characteristic of love is longsuffering. We find ourselves tolerating things we would not have otherwise allowed. This does not mean we mindlessly give in to others’ whims. We need to exercise discernment.
0 Responses to “2 Peter 3:9b”