Peter addresses a common concern of believers – why is the return of Jesus taking so long? Things seem to be getting worse by the day. He reminds us that God works in different timescales to what we’re used to in our short lives, but even more encouragingly, explains the reason for the apparent delay. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
Every day is a new chance for us to serve God, to start fresh from the failures of the past and strive to develop “lives of holiness and godliness”. While we are waiting, Peter encourages us to “be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace… grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”