God Is Waiting
You ever wonder why bad people seem to prosper and good people get taken earlier than “their time” ? Seriously…speaking from personal experience and witnessing it numerous times, I’ve often wondered why the good “die young” ( as Billy Joel sings ) and the parasites and self-seekers of the world seem to live forever. Some of the most godly people in my life were whisked away in their prime, while those who never darken the door of a worship center, never speak God’s name unless it’s profanity, contribute nothing to the good of mankind, make a mockery of our justice system and carry on all manner of evil, seem to never suffer and, in fact, sometimes prosper ! I’m reminded of Scripture that speaks to this subject … ( Psalms chapters 37 and 73 )…therefore, I’ve settled this matter in my heart and leave their eternal destiny to God. It wasn’t long ago that God revealed the true reason He allows many a wayward soul to remain here on earth, while some of the sweetest and dearest have gone on to glory, sooner than expected. The answer can be found in ( 2 Peter chapter 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. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…” ( verses 9 and 15 ). I’ve secretly wished a few people “dead”, to my shame. I’ve made remarks that sounded nothing like our Lord, Jesus Christ. And then i heard Him say…” Aren’t you glad I was patient with you ?” My salvation experience has taken me from one glory to another. He’s grown me spiritually over the years…even if i slowed Him down by my unrepentance and following at a distance. I’ve learned the difference in “salvation” and “Lordship”… which I’m certain alotta you know what i mean. Knowing that God’s patience was what kept me out of hell, only makes me love Him even more ! His patience also has taught me a thing or two about “showing mercy” … “forgiving” when it made no sense … and offering “grace”, even when it wasn’t warranted. I’ve been the recipient of all of these “blessings” from our Lord … so i ought not have an issue with being a distributor of them. “Christ” died for us to live differently. If we’ve not changed, then Christ ain’t in us ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ). God’s waiting on those ungodly people to come to repentance and taste salvation … just as He did you and me ! Now we know why they are still around.