Good morning:
Did you put off doing something yesterday which you had put off the day before and the week before that? I know I should weed my garden, but I can always find something else to do instead, and so I put it off until “tomorrow.” Maybe for you it’s a dentist appointment or avoiding a conversation because you’re afraid it’s going to be difficult and unpleasant. We drag our feet and put things off as long as we possibly can hoping that if we delay long enough, the problem will somehow solve itself.
People accuse God of doing the same. If He really cared about the mess the world is in, He would have done something by now. If He truly loved me, He would have answered my prayers and solved the problems of my life. Peter wrote about scoffers who doubt the promise of Christ’s return on the last day: “They will say, ‘Where is this “coming” he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation’” (2 Peter 3:4).
But Peter continues, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise…He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God would have been justified in destroying the earth and humankind with it immediately after Adam and Eve’s disobedience. But He didn’t, not because He wanted to put off something He should do or because He was hoping the problem would just go away. It was patient love which led Him to promise a Savior who would crush the serpent’s head and restore peace between sinners and God. It was love for all people yet to be born, including you and me.
Because of the same divine mercy, the sun rose this morning and we opened our eyes to a new day of grace. “Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed” (Lam. 3:22). We have the hours ahead of us to reflect upon His love which stands out in such sharp contrast to our lack of love and obedience toward Him. We have opportunity to rejoice in the forgiveness Jesus won for us and to find purpose in living for Him rather than for ourselves. What a special privilege to be entrusted with His saving Word to share with our children, spouses, and others whose lives will touch ours today!
The Lord is not dragging His feet. The day of judgment is quickly approaching when all wrongs will be righted once and for all and every promise of the Lord fulfilled. Until then, let’s praise Him for His loving patience!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor
Tomorrow’s services are at 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. The Lord’s Supper will be celebrated. Here is the link for signing up for August services: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A4CA4AC2FABF49-church.
Face coverings: Wisconsin now requires face coverings at all indoor gatherings for everyone five years old and older, so remember to bring yours along. Disposable masks will be available in the entry for those who need one.
