I’ve heard the Bible verse about God and time mentioned loosely a few times lately. At least enough in our class discussions to have it on my mind. 2 Peter 3:8, “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” This is an interesting description, but what does it mean? For that we need context; let’s continue reading, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

Peter is pointing the readers of his letters to God’s eternal thinking. God is not slacking on His promises when they don’t happen in our timeframe. We as humans consider a day to be a long time. When we suffer for a day, that day is like an eternity to us. The problem with that is we have no concept to compare that to. God actually functions in eternity. Many Christians plant seeds that they will never live to see the growth of, yet 15-20 years later they meet those seeds in heaven. That’s a long time to us, but 15-20 years to bring one back to the flock compared to an eternity in hell is a relatively short period for God. Peter is explaining the hope that comes with a God who functions in eternity instead of a God who functions in our time frame.

In Genesis 3:7 Adam and Eve sew fig leaves and made loin clothes for their coverings once their eyes were opened to right and wrong. This shows how humans function in the moment of time. They were naked and spent their times on leaves; the easiest to manipulate and pierce to sew, but also not something that would last very long. Leaves would not keep them warm nor hold up to falls or tangles so well, but what does God do in verse 21? He makes them clothes of skins. This shows God’s functioning with the mindset of eternity. Skins would last much longer and do more over time to keep them warm and hold together.

The next time we hear these verses, let us be reminded that God keeps His promises to us, whether we see them in our time or not. When God gives us gifts, He gives us lasting gifts that set us up for the work ahead. He does not function in our time, but we function in His. Do not worry if you feel like you are running out of time, God isn’t.