“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” – 2 Peter 3:8
Scripture reading: Psalm 90:1-17
If you have participated in a debate about the days of creation, you will surely have heard this verse raised as ‘proof’ that the days of creation need not be taken as ordinary or literal 24-hour days. Well, Genesis 1 makes it abundantly clear that the days are ordinary days, with the reference to evening and morning, and first, second and third days, etc. The connection made in the Fourth Commandment between our seven-day week and the seven days of creation week would be nonsense if the days of creation were not ordinary days.
Peter’s point here is to remind us that God’s relationship to time is different than ours. He is quoting Psalm 90, which contrasts the eternal God with time-bound mankind. What we need, therefore, is a more mature relationship to time. Unlike the little child who thinks Grandpa and Grandma are never coming if they are three minutes late, we need to be like mature adults who know that three minutes is nothing. And as this relates to the promise of Jesus to return ‘quickly’ or ‘soon,’ we must have this mature attitude. Some may think that 2000 years is forever! But for God, it is like a nanosecond! He is not sitting in heaven counting the days and years, as they roll by, waiting. He is not under time. He exists in eternity. But Christ will come!
Suggestions for prayer
Thank the Lord for all those who taught you to believe the Bible’s account of creation. Praise God for His eternal majesty and glory and goodness and grace.
Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
