The warm, gentle glow in today’s background photo has been burning for a long time. The wick has been long; the oil has been plentiful.
However, time has run its course; the wick has almost reached its end; the supply of oil is just about spent.
So also, God’s patience is much like this oil lamp. God, in great patience, has given humanity many warnings to turn away from sin and to turn to His salvation.
- “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.” -Isaiah 45:22
- “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.” -Isaiah 5:20
- “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.” -Isaiah 55:6-7
God is very patient … but God’s patience is one day going to come to an end.
- “God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” -2 Peter 3:9b
- “You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” -Nehemiah 9:17
- “You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” -Psalm 86:15
- “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” -Psalm 103:8
- “The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.” -Psalm 145:8-9
- “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.” -Lamentations 3:22
- “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.” -Nahum 1:3
- “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. … That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.” – 2 Peter 3:9-13
- “Today, if You hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” -Hebrews 3:15 / Psalm 95:7-8
God has a long wick of patience … offering the light of salvation to all.
But the offer won’t last forever.
