No one has to be lost

II Peter 3:9 (CEV)

The Lord isn't slow about keeping His promises, as some people think He is. In fact, God is patient, because He wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost. 

A typical congregation on Sunday having three types of people—mature Christians, new Christians, and those who are lost (unbelievers). God desires all to turn from sin and that no one be lost.  The best story in the Bible about being lost is the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32.  Note that when the lost son came home that the Father (God) so rejoiced at the son’s decision not to be lost anymore that the Father ran to greet him (15:20).  This is the only reference in the Bible to God running!

II Peter 3:9 follows verse 8 that says that with the Lord a thousand years is like one day!  This deserves more elaboration, but for another devotional.  One day or several days or months or years seem like forever to us finite humans, but to the Lord, a few days, months or years are nothing!  We all have family and friends for whom we have been praying for their salvation for years and it has yet to happen.  Indeed, for many people, it takes years to make a decision about receiving Jesus as personal Savior and Lord.  We might want to give up or already have given up, but this verse helps us to see that God has not given up.  God is patient and because a thousand years is like a day to Him, He can wait many years for a person to finally see the light and turn from their wicked ways to Jesus. 

So, whoever in your life you believe or know to be lost, don’t give up on them.  Keep praying for their salvation.  God is not slow about keeping His promises.  Isn’t this a wonderful reminder?  This applies not only to prayers of salvation, but also all your prayers.  You likely claim many promises of God, some of which have not happened yet in your life.  You pray for others and don’t yet see the answers.  Keep this verse in mind….He will keep those promises, He will answer your prayers, you just have to be patient with Him even if it takes Him years to fulfill those promises in your life and answer your prayers regarding others’ lives.

"Waiting on God prepares for greater blessing.  God has greater plans than you have realized.  Give Him time to do great things.  The greater the work He plans, the greater the prayer preparation that may be necessary, including prayer for guidance.  God often waits so that He can be even more gracious (Isaiah 30:18).” -- Wesley Duewel