Brethren, the Lord is incredibly patient, far more so than we. For millennia, He has waited, watching as sinful men do sinful things, yet allowing them to carry on in this manner. Why?

So that He may be gracious to His people, us, and those also who would repent and receive His salvation (Isa. 30:18).

He is patient, not yet demonstrating His wrath nor making His full power known to those on whom His wrath will fall. Why? So that He may “make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles” (Rom. 9:22-23).

Many wonder, “why does He not yet return? For what purpose does He wait?” Beloved, are we the only ones to whom He has offered salvation? No, He has others, and He is patient, because He is not willing that they should perish, but that they too should come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).

Let us rejoice, then, in His patience, knowing that His patience allowed for our salvation. At the appointed time, He will return for us, so look forward to, and be prepared for, His second appearance, especially now while we prepare to celebrate His first appearance which provided the means for our salvation. For we know not when He shall return, but we know that He will. Therefore, we must be patient, as is He.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, December 9

"Therefore will the Lord wait that He may be gracious unto you." Isaiah 30:18

God often DELAYS IN ANSWERING PRAYER. We have several instances of this in sacred Scripture. Jacob did not get the blessing from the angel until near the dawn of day- he had to wrestle all night for it. The poor woman of Syrophoenicia was answered not a word for a long while. Paul besought the Lord thrice that "the thorn in the flesh" might be taken from him, and he received no assurance that it should be taken away, but instead thereof a promise that God's grace should be sufficient for him. If thou hast been knocking at the gate of mercy, and hast received no answer, shall I tell thee why the mighty Maker hath not opened the door and let thee in? Our Father has reasons peculiar to Himself for thus keeping us waiting. Sometimes it is to show His power and His sovereignty, that men may know that Jehovah has a right to give or to withhold. More frequently the delay is for our profit. Thou art perhaps kept waiting in order that thy desires may be more fervent. God knows that delay will quicken and increase desire, and that if He keeps thee waiting thou wilt see thy necessity more clearly, and wilt seek more earnestly; and that thou wilt prize the mercy all the more for its long tarrying. There may also be something wrong in thee which has need to be removed, before the joy of the Lord is given. Perhaps thy views of the Gospel plan are confused, or thou mayest be placing some little reliance on thyself, instead of trusting simply and entirely to the Lord Jesus. Or, God makes thee tarry awhile that He may the more fully display the riches of His grace to thee at last. Thy prayers are all filed in heaven, and if not immediately answered they are certainly not forgotten, but in a little while shall be fulfilled to thy delight and satisfaction. Let not despair make thee silent, but continue instant in earnest supplication.