Longsuffering An Attribute of God – Sunday Thought For The Day
In 1 Peter 3:20 (KJV), part of the verse reads: “…when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah…” I find the word “longsuffering” a powerful statement pursuant to an attribute of God.
Typically when man thinks and/or references “long suffering” we do so meaning enduring a laborious situation over a period of time. The situation can be any uncomfortable period in our lives. We are even applauded for showing stoicism and resolve during said period.
But, in this verse the Apostle Peter uses the word as a quality, i.e., an attribute of God. It is an attribute of God that waiting sufficient time before expressing anger. This avoids the premature use of force (retribution) that rises out of improper anger (a personal reaction).
Another important aspect of the verse is that Peter reminds us, that the exact same water which drowned the world, lifting up the ark and saving Noah and his household. The exact same water that brought righteous judgement to the disobedient, was the means of salvation for 8 persons comprising Noah’s family.
The verse makes clear that god does not act rashly nor is He coerced or goaded in a hasty act of retribution. But, that is not to encourage the idea that toying with the patience of our Lord is a good idea. God’s patience is not without end.
We should also note, that the same Jesus whom they mocked, spat upon, cursed, and ultimately murdered, is the only means of salvation not just in the world, but the only means ever to be in the world.
READ:
2 Peter 3:4-9 (KJV)
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 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.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
About the Author
Mychal Massie
Mychal S. Massie is an ordained minister who spent 13 years in full-time Christian Ministry. Today he serves as founder and Chairman of the Racial Policy Center (RPC), a think tank he officially founded in September 2015. RPC advocates for a colorblind society. He was founder and president of the non-profit “In His Name Ministries.” He is the former National Chairman of a conservative Capitol Hill think tank; and a former member of the think tank National Center for Public Policy Research. Read entire bio here
