Scripture:
Genesis 6:3
Then
the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans
forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty
years.”
In Genesis 6, God decides to put an end to the
human race because of the corruption and violence so pervading the hearts of
men. In 6:3, God declares that humanity's days will be a hundred and twenty
years.
The question is this: If God has decided to wipe
humans from the earth, why would He wait a hundred and twenty years? Why
wouldn't He just do it right then and be done with it?
The same question can be asked regarding any
instances of God's timing. Why won't He answer my prayer now instead of making
me wait? Why did He take so long to send Jesus? Why is He taking so long to
send Christ again?
I think the answer to this last question can give
us a hint into all of God's timing. In 2 Peter 3:8-9, we read, "But do not
forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand
years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in
keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with
you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Peter explains that God could send Christ again
and end this world as we know it at any point, but He is purposely, patiently
waiting for as many people as possible to repent and turn to Him before it's
too late.
I can't help but think that this was also God's
motive in giving the people of Noah's day a hundred and twenty extra years. He
was wanting more people than just Noah and his family to be on that ark when
the time of judgment came.
What about the times of waiting on God in your own
life? What do you think God is waiting for? As in the cases of the second
coming and the Flood, God's delayed action is always motivated to give us more
time to turn toward Him and His purposes in the situation. Often, we are not
waiting on God to act; God is waiting on us to turn to Him before He does act.
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