To those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it, only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water.
—1 Peter 3:20
Most people, even Christians, don’t think of God as particularly patient. They think of Him as loving but ready to dispense wrath at a moment’s notice. Most Christians might even say they wouldn’t blame God for impatience, considering the state of today’s world. Sin runs rampant, and surely a holy God can only tolerate so much.
Today’s verse indicates that God is infinitely more patient than people think or could hope to be themselves. Peter describes God waiting patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built for more people to repent and be saved from coming destruction. Elsewhere, Peter specifically describes God as patient and says He doesn’t want anyone to perish.
God grieves when people don’t listen to His warnings and grieves more when they perish because they failed to listen. Sometimes physical perishing doesn’t come right away—in fact, this is rare. God knows eternal punishment is so awful, so devastating, that He will wait as long as He likes for as many people as possible to come to Him. He will be incredibly patient with those who doubt, question or outright reject Him, giving them chance after chance to see His truth. Only as a last resort does God condemn anyone.
Endeavoring to show His patience is the best way for us to show people who God truly is. Don’t give up on people who need God, even if they’re willful and destructive toward themselves and others. Continue to show patience and love, and let God draw people toward Himself.
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