Do Not Grow Weary

Verse of the day: Exodus 32:1 “Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, ‘Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’”

It never ceases to amaze me how impatient we can be, and how quickly we turn to sin, when God decides to make us wait on His timing. God had been far better to the Israelites than they deserved, as He is always better to us than we deserve; and yet, how quickly they forgot His goodness to them. The Israelites, tired of waiting for Moses’ return, immediately turn to idolatry, mixing pagan worship with worshipping the LORD. They also did not waste any time speculating, gossiping, and ridiculing God’s chosen leader. The first thing we need to remind ourselves of is that God’s timing is not our timing. 2 Peter 3:8 tells us, “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Just as the Israelites became weary, waiting for Moses return, we must be careful not to become weary waiting for the Lord’s return. Although Moses did not tell them how long he would be on Mount Sinai with the LORD, and they had no real assurance that Moses would in fact return, we do have hope and a guarantee that Jesus will return. Jesus Himself gave us that guarantee (Matthew 24; Mark 8:38; Luke 17:28-30; John 14:1-3). The Apostle Peter clearly tells us in 2 Peter 3:3-7, “knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’ 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” He went on to tell us in 2 Peter 3:10 that the Lord’s return will be like a thief in the night; at a time when we least expect it. Unlike the Israelites, who turned to idolatry and sin in their impatience, how are we to wait on the Lord’s return? We are to live in holiness and godliness (2 Peter 3:11) being watchful for His return (2 Peter 3:12). We are to remain steadfast, as admonished in 2 Peter 3:14, “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless”. We are to be sure that we are in Christ, at peace with God, His righteousness imputed on us, and at peace with His chosen servants, unlike the Israelites at Sinai. We are further admonished in 2 Peter 3:17-18, “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” We are not to allow ourselves to be seduced by false teachers and their heretical teachings that tickle our ears and make false promises. We are to be avid and diligent students of His Word (2 Timothy 2:15), continually growing in our knowledge of God, and putting His truth to action in our lives (James 1:22-25). We are not to grow weary in well doing, and continue sowing that which is good, for in due time the Lord will return and reward us for our steadfastness (Galatian 6:9). We must continue to take up our cross daily (Matthew 16:24), following Christ faithfully, ignoring the scoffers, knowing that He will surely return. Let us not forget our Lord and Savior’s promise in Matthew 16:27, “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).