God’s promise

August 12, 2017 0 0

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2 Peter 3: 8-10

8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.

‘God’s promises are always greater than our hopes.’ So wrote our friend Julian of Norwich, and it is to that theme that the apostle Peter today steers our thoughts.

In our passage and context Peter is writing about what theologians call ‘eschatology’, simply meaning teaching about the ‘last things’. Peter is writing about the promise of a coming ‘Day of the Lord’ (verse 10) which is a common expression in the Bible for the time of God’s final judgment. In the New Testament this is identified with the Advent expectation of Jesus’ return, at which time all wrongs will be righted, God’s promises perfectly fulfilled, and the glorious new creation fully disclosed. Evil will be eliminated and the new heavens and earth will be ‘landscaped with righteousness’ (verse 13, The Message). This is the ultimate future hope held out in the Christian Gospel.

In Peter’s first century world, as also in ours, this hope was often met with cynical derision. ‘Where is this “coming” he promised?’ (verse 4), the scoffers taunted. In response, Peter contrasts the human and divine perspectives on time, pointing out that the comprehensive perspective of God is not limited by a human lifespan. Besides, God’s delay has a merciful purpose (verses 8 - 9).

Peter wants to discourage idle and useless speculations about God’s future timetable. He urges rather that the important thing for all is to live appropriately in the present in light of the coming of the Lord Jesus. ‘You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of the Lord and speed it coming’ (verses 11-12) – lives, he means, that here and now reflect meaningfully the shalom of the coming new creation.

Trusting the faithfulness of God in keeping his promise, we may face the unknown future with confidence and hope, assured, in the words of Julian of Norwich that ‘all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.’

Prayer

Faithful God, we thank you that you always keep your promises. Help us to keep strong our trust in them. We thank you for the hope you have given us in the Gospel, of a perfectly renewed cosmos, from which all that is evil and harmful will forever be banished, and which will be landscaped by righteousness, peace and love. By your grace, help us day by day to live, as your children, in light of this glorious hope. Empower and equip us by your Spirit to serve faithfully and in unity with all your people, for the building of our Saviour’s eternal kingdom. Amen.