How Long

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.

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