"A day is like a thousand years ..."

"Do not forget this one thing dear friends:  With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day" (II Peter 3:8).

As he writes to the Church in the first century, Peter encourages believers to persevere in facing trials and in waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He assures them that God's judgment will come upon those who do not believe when Christ returns, and that believers will inherit what has been promised:  "a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness" (II Peter 3:13).  He tells them that God's timetable is different than ours.  To the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

Today is Monday.  Many people here in this country tend to dislike Mondays.  Because many of us have the blessing of having one or two days to rest on the weekend, Monday is the day when people go back to work.  Some people think they would be happy if they could work two days and be off five days.  Of course, that wouldn't work financially.  More importantly, it seems that people forget that God told us to work six days and rest on the seventh day.  Work is an important part of our stewardship of what God has given us as His people.  We are to carry out God's rule over all things and working for our daily bread brings glory to God.  As He provides, we have enough to meet our own needs, and to share with others.  That's what God intends.  So, Mondays are a day ... one day ... but an important day because it is GOD's day.  EVERY day is God's day!

But there's more to that than just a few words.  Every day is God's day because God is at work in every day!  I shared in my message on Sunday that I have read this verse many times and have usually focused on the part that says "a thousand years are like a day."  That is an amazing truth.  God sees everything in His time and what seems like a long time to us is like a day to God.  He is not in a hurry.  In fact, Peter says, "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"  (II Peter 3:9).  God's purpose is wrapped up in salvation, in bringing those who are His sheep safely into the fold.  Jesus promised that not one of His sheep would be lost.

With that in mind, that God is being patient and His timing is always right, it is important to understand the other part of verse 8:  "... a day is like a thousand years."  This also, is an amazing statement.  Think about this, a day, one twenty-four period, is like a THOUSAND YEARS to God!!  How many things go on in a thousand years?  How many changes take place in a thousand years?  How many details are there in a thousand years??  That's how God sees each day.  He sees your life and mine and every person in every place around the world.  He sees YOU, and He knows what is going on in your life.  He CARES what is going on in your life, and He is walking with you through every minute of the day.

Remember that, when you feel as though one day doesn't matter, or that one day is overlooked by God.  "One day is like a thousand years!"  Use it for the Lord, and know that He is at work in every moment.  Find joy in each day as you live it with Him and for Him!  And the next time you tell someone to "Have a great day!" ... have one yourself!