2 Peter 3 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“The L_rd does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but wanting all to come unto repentance. But the day of the L_rd will come like a thief, on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and works on it will be disclosed.” 2 Peter 3:9-10

I say it often, that there are two things about G_d which baffle a fool: 1) How long He takes to act, and 2) How quickly He arrives.

Concerning Yeshua’s returning, everything in G_d’s plan is unfolding right on time. The clarion call of the “Jesus movement” of the 1970’s was, “People get ready, Jesus is coming.” Now, it’s almost 40 years later and Yeshua still hasn’t returned to redeem His Bride, the greater community of Messiah. As result, many are laughing at those “Jesus freaks” today. “Where is Jesus?”, they taunt. Well, Yeshua has delayed His coming because of His desire for all to repent. He is being patient, but His patience has a limit.

In the days of Noah, there was plenty of time for the scoffers to inquire about what Noah was doing, building this giant thing called an “ark”. Surely, they laughed at him as he diligently and faithfully (seemingly nonsensically) followed G_d’s instruction. They had every opportunity to repent, even as word about Noah’s labors spread. But when the rain-turned-floodwater rose, the time for their repentance had expired. Likewise, turning to Yeshua, which seems so convenient today, will be impossible on the Day of the L_rd when Messiah returns to judge the unfaithful.

Concerning His quick arrival, there is the story of the 3 demons standing before Satan. Satan asks, “What will we tell these humans, that will send them to Hell?”
One Demon says, “I’ll tell them there is no G_d.”
Satan answers, “No, they’ll look at creation and figure out it had to come from somewhere.”
The second Demon says, “I’ll tell them there is no judgment.”
“No,” answers the Devil “There’s too much evil in the world, for them to think it will all go unpunished.”
The third Demon smiles, “I’ll tell them they’ve got time, and they can follow Yeshua tomorrow.”
“Yes,” answers Satan. “They’ll believe that!”

Many have said they’ll believe in Yeshua “tomorrow”, only to die today. I’m not trying to unnecessarily scare anyone. If you are an unbeliever, I hope you are necessarily scared! Necessary, because there is no other name by which men MUST be saved. Acts 4:12 The Bible says, “Today is the day of salvation” for a reason. Joshua told the Israelites, “Choose you this day whom you will serve.” “Today” is the only day you’re sure of.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Thursday, December 5, 2013