Bible, Faith, Contentment, Unfair, Trust, patience, Waiting

Why Is God Taking So Long?

Have you ever felt like God stays silent while the world becomes more increasingly chaotic? We scroll through endless headlines of disasters and conflicts, wondering if God has forgotten us or if we were foolish to trust His ability to make everything right. So what gives? Is God being slow, disinterested, or lax? This message shows us why God’s timing isn’t about neglect – it’s about purpose. We’ll discover together how God’s perspective on timing can transform your frustration into hope, and why His patience might be exactly what our troubled world needs right now.

MESSAGE NOTES

Famous Last Words

Why Is God Taking So Long?

Introduction

“Have you ever waited so long for something, you began to doubt if it would ever happen?”

Context:

  • Peter’s first letter: External trials and persecution
  • Second letter: Internal doubts and delay of God’s promises

Three Key Truths About God’s Timing

  1. God’s Perspective Is Different

[2 Peter 3:9] “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent.”

Key Points:

  • A day like thousand years to God
  • We see present moment only
  • God sees the complete picture

Example: Abraham and Sarah

  • Promise of descendants like stars
  • Years of waiting
  • God kept His word

[Isaiah 55:8-9] “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the LORD. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

  1. God’s Motivation Is Love

“Rule of thumb: we are playing Checkers, but God’s playing Chess.”

[Jonah 4:11] “Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness… Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”

[1 Timothy 2:3-4] “This is good and pleases God, our savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”

  1. God’s Promise Is Restoration

[2 Peter 3:10-14] “But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief… But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.”

God’s Ultimate Goals:

  • Restore creation
  • Restore His people
  • Defeat evil completely

How Should We Live While Waiting?

[2 Peter 3:14, 17-18] “And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight…”

Three Actions:

  1. Live peaceful lives (be salt and light)
  2. Keep heart pure and actions blameless
  3. Grow in grace and knowledge

Application

  1. Regarding God’s Different Perspective:
    • Where are you doubting God’s timing?
    • How can you align with His perspective?
  2. Regarding God’s Love:
    • Who do you find difficult to love?
    • Who might God be patiently waiting to save?
  3. Regarding God’s Promise of Restoration:
    • How does this promise give you hope?
    • What areas need restoration in your life?

[Romans 2:4] “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”

“God’s ultimate goal has always been to restore creation and His people to perfection.”

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Application Questions

  1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
  2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
  3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
  4. How will this message change how you act at home, at work, and in your relationships?

Have you ever felt like God stays silent while the world becomes more increasingly chaotic? We scroll through endless headlines of disasters and conflicts, wondering if God has forgotten us or if we were foolish to trust His ability to make everything right. So what gives? Is God being slow, disinterested, or lax? This message shows us why God’s timing isn’t about neglect – it’s about purpose. We’ll discover together how God’s perspective on timing can transform your frustration into hope, and why His patience might be exactly what our troubled world needs right now.

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