Our Patient and Active Missionary God
Scripture Reading — 2 Peter 3:8-15
The Lord … is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
In his mission, God exercises a patient love as well as a vigorous engagement to defeat Satan and the forces of evil. Already in Genesis 3:15 God’s promise looks ahead to Jesus’ victory over Satan.
We grow impatient and sometimes despair of evil and its effects in the world around us. But the apostle Paul writes, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:20).
The final, great victory of Jesus over evil is described in Revelation 20:10: “The devil … was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur” to remain there forever.
In the meantime, be aware, says Paul, that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
That is why we need to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (6:10).
God is not forgetting us. Our merciful, patient, and powerful God is moving forward with his mission for the salvation of the people he loves.
Hold on to Jesus’ promise: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Lord, make us aware of the spiritual battles we are waging. Give us freedom from fear and the sure knowledge that you are in control and that your grace is sufficient for us. Amen.
About the author — Allen & Lynn Likkel
Revs. Allen and Lynn Likkel have worked in communities across North America for many years—planting churches, nurturing them along, and developing new church leaders. A minister in the Christian Reformed Church, Allen served with Christian Reformed Home Missions for nearly 40 years, and Lynn, also ordained as a minister of the Word, has served to build leaders and new congregations. In November 2010, Allen entered retirement, and the Likkels moved to Washington, their native state. They have four adult children.
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