2 Peter 3:9 English Standard Version (ESV) The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,^[a] not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Footnote: a Some manuscripts on your account

Key to this devotional is the words “as some count slowness”. As I related to you yesterday, I am tired of the world right now and that does affect my view of coming attractions. Our desires will take over reasoning and then we lose sight of the bigger picture.

God knows who will and will not accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. That did not keep Him from wishing that all would come to Christ. Perhaps that is nothing more than placing human emotions on our God, wishing. Maybe wishing doesn’t make it so for God either.

God is love and love can wish for things that will never become reality. This brings love into a new aspect for us mere mortals. We have a concept of control of our thoughts and emotions but the love of God which dwells within us has the ability to generate longings that are separate from our reasoning because they are of God.

I don’t have the capacity to love the wicked, God does. I want them punished and God says that is for Him to choose. So much of my emotional responses to the things of this world are of my flesh and if I act on them, I sin. If I hate the things of this world and want it to change, then it is up to Him who knows all things to exact change. I cannot do anything but make things worse.

We have been studying Walking in the Spirit of late and these emotions about what is going on in the world is blocking my ability to hear and obey God. I have to be honest about my feelings in prayer but I must not forget to start with “thy will be done.” And mean it.

Psalm 10:14-17 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁴ But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,
    that you may take it into your hands;
to you the helpless commits himself;
    you have been the helper of the fatherless.
¹⁵ Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
    call his wickedness to account till you find none.

¹⁶ The Lord is king forever and ever;
    the nations perish from his land.
¹⁷ O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
    you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear

At this present time under these present conditions I want God to put an end to it all. This is my most selfish being. I am so tired of all this. All this encompasses more than you know, even more than I am aware of and I know too much. The list of wickedness would take up time that could be put to better use.

God will put an end to all this and I know when. When His Son’s bride is complete to His satisfaction and not my own. It is the bridegroom’s father that decides when his son and his betrothed are ready for marriage. It is the father that prepares the wedding feast. At this time God the Father says “Gather my Son’s betrothed and prepare her.”

If we truly want to see God put an end to all this, then preach the gospel to the lost and spread the love of Christ into the midst of the affliction. People are tired of all this and they want a way out.

John 14:6 English Standard Version (ESV) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

There is no better time to speak the truth than in the midst of affliction.