Why is God Waiting So Long?

Why is God Waiting So Long?
Monday, September 16, 2024 by Melissa McLaughlin

After a quick scan of the headlines, my soul ached. “How much longer, Lord? How much longer until Jesus returns? Why are You waiting so long?”

As we gaze across the landscape of humanity, it seems each new day ushers in greater depths of mankind’s sin. We witness violence, hatred, division, and indifference to the sanctity of life in expanding measures too deep to bear.

When considering Old Testament rulers and peoples, we recognize that earthly kingdoms displayed only brief flashes of God’s goodness through the ages. How quickly humanity’s sin-darkened hearts overshadowed the momentary glimpses of light.

From the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, our sin-nature cast blemishes on God’s purity in this world. The first family resulted in the first murder. Are we any different today? Have we made any progress?

Gratefully, God’s redeeming plan is being carried out. We read it in the Bible, as God patiently calls His people. We see it in Jesus’ blood-soaked body on the cross and His resurrection power in the open grave. We witness God’s miraculous restoration in the changed lives of believers.

God is moving. He is alive. He is active. God is advancing His kingdom purposes according to His timeline.

Although widespread wickedness and rebellion against God’s holy standards clamor for our attention, let us remember God’s heart and plan.

What is God’s Heart?

God’s heart is to save. He desires that all would repent and receive salvation in Christ.

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) – The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

God’s heart poured out through Christ, His Word, and Spirit. Since Jesus ascended to heaven, the indwelling Spirit now empowers the church to function as the body of Christ on earth. We may not always see God’s heart in the world, but hopefully, we see it in Christians.

What is God’s Plan?

Mercifully, God yearns to save. However, to what end? What is God’s goal?

God seeks people willing to believe, love, and follow Him. To be His own people, a treasured possession. To be in fellowship and have a close relationship with Him (John 17:23).

Deuteronomy 7:6 (ESV) – For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) – But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Why is God Waiting So Long?

God is enduring the evil on this earth temporarily because He is still calling. He is calling people to Himself.

I am thankful God waited for me. And for you.

He is waiting until the last one who will turn to Him, does so.

As we wait, may we look to God with gratitude, hope, and perseverance knowing that one day, He will bring it all to a close. And we will see Christ in all His glory.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT) – No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared for those who love him.

Unfathomable joy, radiance, and glory await us. The affection we experienced here will be like an eye-dropper’s splash compared to God’s vast, unending ocean of love.

Why is God waiting so long to abolish evil, bring this age to a close, and reveal His new heaven and earth?

God is waiting because He loves. He desires to save all who are willing to join Him in heaven.

May we wait with gratitude and joyful anticipation. May we fervently pray for the lost and point others to Jesus. And wait for God, because He waited for us.

What helps you wait for God’s kingdom to come?

2 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV) – But do not overlook 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 to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Bible Study
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