But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: 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. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
—2 Peter 3:8-13

~~~~~

The Patience of the Eternal
By Jennifer Kane

The clock strikes late,
and still You wait.
Not from forgetfulness,
nor from delay,
but from love deeper
than time can measure.

A thousand years—
a breath to You.
One day—
a lifetime of mercy.
You do not count time
as we do, Lord.
Each moment to You
is a seed of grace
falling into the hearts
of those not yet returned.

You are not slow—
You are longsuffering.
Your silence is not neglect,
but a holy hush
before the trumpet.
You ache for repentance.
You weep for the lost.
You stretch the days
that more may come home.

Scoffers laugh in the waiting,
but Your promises are not slack.
They are rooted in eternity,
and watered with tears
of divine compassion.

The fire will come.
The elements will melt.
The heavens will roar
and the earth will tremble.
But until then—
You linger.
You call.
You wait.

What mercy is this?
That a holy God
would hold back judgment
for the sake of sinners?

What love is this?
That righteousness would endure
the stain of a fallen world,
just one more day,
just one more soul?

And so,
we do not dread the delay—
we live in its light.
We walk holy,
and speak boldly,
and wait eagerly,
knowing the King
is not far off.

The world will dissolve,
but the Word remains.
A new earth is promised—
a dwelling of righteousness.
And until the dawn breaks,
we praise You,
O longsuffering Lord,
whose patience saves.

~~~~~

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:8-13

Longsuffering—also translated as patience or forbearance—is one of the most overlooked fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), yet it reveals the very heartbeat of God. In 2 Peter 3:8–13, Peter reminds believers that God’s seeming delay in returning isn’t forgetfulness or failure, but divine patience. God’s longsuffering is an expression of mercy—a deliberate withholding of judgment to make room for repentance.

If the Creator of the universe can wait patiently for sinful humanity to turn back to Him, how much more should we, as His children, practice longsuffering with one another? Longsuffering is not passive endurance; it is active love in the waiting. It is enduring offense without retaliation. It is choosing kindness over irritation, forgiveness over frustration, and love over bitterness.

God’s patience is also purposeful—it leads to transformation. The same Spirit that waits for the prodigal to come home is the One shaping our hearts to mirror His.

Where in your life is God calling you to bear the fruit of longsuffering? Is there someone you’re struggling to forgive or an ongoing situation that’s testing your endurance? Ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit so that you can extend the same patience He shows you daily.

This week, practice longsuffering with intention. Choose one relationship or situation and respond with the patience of Christ. Pray daily for the heart of God to be formed in you—and for your endurance to become a testimony of His grace.

~~~~~

Father God, thank You for Your longsuffering love. Thank You for being patient with me when I stray, stumble, or doubt. Help me to reflect that same patience to others. Grow in me the fruit of longsuffering—not through my strength, but by Your Spirit. Teach me to wait with grace, to endure with love, and to trust that You are always at work, even in the waiting. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

April 23 2025