If you fly often enough, you have probably had an experience like the one I had recently. I boarded the plane early, as I always do, and made my way to my seat. Everything seemed to be proceeding well, and I began to think my flight might not just leave on time, but might even depart a few minutes early. And then … nothing. It soon became clear that everyone who had been waiting at the gate had made their way aboard and taken their seats, yet the crew didn’t close the doors and the plane didn’t roll. What was going on?
Eventually, the speakers crackled, and the pilot spoke. “Folks, I apologize for the delay, but some of our passengers were late to arrive at the airport and are just now sprinting across the terminal. I’ll ask you to wait just a few more minutes until they have joined us, and then we will get underway. In the meantime, I appreciate your patience.” As I heard the announcement, it occurred to me that when it comes to delays, there is a world of difference between those who are already seated on the plane and those who are still rushing to it.
Those who arrived early and are already seated are eager to get underway. In fact, if it were put to the vote, I expect we would be willing to shut the doors and leave without those last passengers. Serves them right for being late! For those of us who are already aboard, the captain’s patience is a source of irritation: “Let’s just get going already!”
But for those who are sprinting along the concourse, the captain’s patience is a source of joy. These passengers are every bit as eager as we are to get to their destination, but have been delayed. To make it there, they are entirely dependent on the patience of the captain and his willingness to wait.
For 2,000 years, God’s people have been praying the same prayer: “Come, Lord Jesus.” It is a good prayer, and a biblical one—a manifestation of the Christian’s gospel weariness. Yet for 2,000 years God has delayed in answering it. This delay can be perplexing and even frustrating. Has he not heard? Does he not care? Is he just putting off until tomorrow what he could so easily accomplish today? Peter answers near the end of his second letter: “And count the patience of our Lord as salvation” (2 Peter 3:15). God is not dragging his feet or dillydallying. He is not procrastinating. He is being patient, and this patience is related to salvation.
God is not dragging his feet or dillydallying. He is not procrastinating. He is being patient.
Why is God delaying his answer to such a good and constant prayer? Because he is waiting for the last of his people to be saved! He is waiting patiently for that final lost sheep to be brought back to the fold. He is waiting expectantly for the last of his prodigal sons to return home, the last of his precious daughters to put her faith in Jesus. He is waiting for those who are his.
Once more, there is a world of difference between those who are already present and those who have not yet arrived. Those who are already present may be tempted toward frustration and impatience. But when we consider those who have yet to arrive, surely we can be thankful that the Lord, in his wisdom, is waiting for them. Surely we can trust that just as he was so wonderfully patient with us, he is being patient with them. And surely, with that in mind, we can joyfully wait just a little bit longer.
