The years come and the years go, but nothing ever changes. That was the complaint of some of the scoffers in Peter’s time and is a complaint of many of the scoffers in our own day. Peter said that those scoffers, however, deliberately forget; they choose to ignore the fact that the world itself holds a testimony that things change. God created it one way by His Word and in an instant brought about a massive change when He sent the flood to bring destruction and judgment.
Then Peter in 2 Peter 3:8 goes on, “But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” [NLT]
To us there is a great deal of difference between an hour and a day or a year. We can hardly fathom the passing of a thousand years. There are times when an hour, even a minute seem to drag on forever, such as when I am in pain or sick or just bored. And yet I wake some days and can barely comprehend how I’ve become 77 years old! How fast the years have flown.
To God there is no difference in an hour, a day, or a thousand years since the past, the present and the future are ever before Him. He is not bound by time. He abides in eternity. God is not slow in keeping His promises, but He is patient and has a purpose. He desires that no one perish but that everyone come to repentance.
God gives us time to answer His plea to come to Him through His Son Jesus. God gives us time to repent. God gives us time to be saved. Every time I wish He would just end it all and bring about the judgment He promised, I remember those I love who do not yet know Him. I am torn between, “Oh Jesus, come quickly!” and “Dear Lord wait just a little long until they all know you!”
