"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."2 Peter 3:8
This verse has always made me think of the fact that God’s timing is different than ours. Just because we are in a hurry doesn’t mean that He is in a hurry. This is definitely true about our God, but I think it goes deeper than that.
God exists outside of time. The reason that we can look at something as short as a day, and the Lord views it as a thousand years, is because God does not live by days. He does not go to sleep at night or have a new start to the day. The opposite is true as well: while a thousand years is practically incomprehensible to us as humans, it is to our God as just another day. God is not bound by time or space.
God is also eternal. This means that He is in our today, while still being in yesterday and in tomorrow. In fact, He is also in eternity past and eternity future. When time no longer exists, God still is.
What does this mean for us? It means that God knows what is ahead for each of us. He is already there. He is not limited by time. We only have 24 hours in a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. If we live the average lifespan given in the Bible of 70-80 years, still our time is limited. Death is immovable, and we all will reach the end of our time - not so with our God. He cannot die.
What is even more amazing is the fact that He has given us this eternal life.
"And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life."1 John 2:25
We have the hope that we will one day exist outside of time and space also!
Here on earth, time is fleeting when we want it to slow or dragging when we are waiting for something. We are limited by time, and we can not add or subtract to our time. But our God is eternal, and we can trust the sovereign control of Him Who has complete perspective outside of time.
Is it a dark time in your life? Take heart! God knows the exact timing of the trial you are facing, and He has the perfect, eternal perspective on your life.
Are you uncertain about the future or waiting for God’s direction? Be assured that God is already in your future, knowing exactly where He is taking you and what He wants to do with you.
Wherever you may be today, remember that our time is short, but we have eternity with our loving Father to anticipate! This week, think of Him Who is described in Deuteronomy 33:27 in this way: “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Comments 1
A comforting truth! Thank you, Kristen.