S – The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

 2 Peter 3:9 CSB

O – Commentary:

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise. The words “is … slow” translate bradynei (“hesitate, linger, delay”), used only here in the New Testament. Again Peter gave a divine-human comparison (cf. v. 8). God’s so-called “tardiness” as viewed by some people (as some understand slowness) is only a delay with respect to their time schedules, not His. In fact God’s time schedule is modified by patience, a major attribute of the heavenly Father (cf. v. 15; Rom. 2:4; 9:22).

The words not wanting (mē boulomenos) anyone to perish do not express a decree, as if God has willed everyone to be saved. Universal salvation is not taught in the Bible. Instead those words describe God’s wishes or desires; He longs that all would be saved (cf. 1 Tim. 2:4) but knows that many reject Him.

 Kenneth O. Gangel, “2 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 876.

A – The Bible says God will come again to judge all of mankind and is delaying his return due his own patience.  It is fascinating that the one who holds time and knows all things is actually attributed with patience.  As he has given us a free will to choose him, he wants to give every opportunity for people to make that choice.  That is a strong love and desire for relationship.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, True God.  Thank you for providing a way for relationship with you.  We pray for people to repent and come into a relationship with you.  We are grateful you were patient enough to wait for us.