Bible Reading: Ezek. 40,41, 2 Pet. 3
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
People wander why God is so patient these days that inspite of the increase in atrocities, he has not destroyed the world. But God is not like men, he loves us all and does not want any of us to perish, rather he wants us to make heaven. So he is giving everyone long rope to pull before blowing the final whistle. That’s why Apostle Peter stated in 2 Peter 3:9 (KJVS), “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
God wants everyone to come to repentance. It’s amazing that those who think they are righteous need to examine themselves carefully so that they will not miss it out of carelessness. Some years ago, I felt I was ready to go to the Lord as I thought I was in right standing with the Lord until one night that the Lord showed me that I had made a promise to him which I had not kept. He reminded me of that promise. When I realised this, I quickly changed my position that I was not ready to go but started working on fulfilling the promise I had made to God. Jeremiah 33:3 (KJVS) says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
Please call on God and ask him to show you areas in your life you need to work on to be in right standing with Him. But then there are various people also that have offended you in one way or the other, you need to forgive them. As God is long-suffering so does he expect his children to be. That is why long suffering is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22 KJVS says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” . So you also need to search yourself and identify those who have offended you; then speak to them on what they have done to you and how they offended you. Otherwise, they may not know you have been offended and may continue to grieve you. You may also have to pray for them so that you will know you have completely forgiven them. All these are necessary to ensure your own sins are also forgiven. Matthew 6:14-15 KJVS is apt on unforgiveness “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [15] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” So you need to give others a very long rope to pull concerning offences as men will naturally offend you.
Prayer:
Father, give me the grace to bear the fruit of long Suffering in my daily activities.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero