"the Lord is not slow"

"Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Pt 3.8-9)

I noticed these lines this morning. They reminded me of what I was saying before about bearing the tension: "In most cases, it takes people a long time to learn a hard truth. When we just make our objection and go, we relieve ourselves (and others) of discomfort, but we don't give much time for anything to actually sink in." Understanding that, I think, also helps us understand why God sometimes seems to take such a long time to respond, to bring justice, to fulfill his promises. He doesn't wish that any should be crushed, but that all should reach repentance.

So, Peter says, "count the forbearance of our Lord as salvation." Not the quickest salvation, but the most complete salvation, if we have the faith to wait for it.