He is restraining himself!

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

You have to love Eugene Peterson and his interpretation in the Message version:

"God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change."

I remember one day in the Rome airport when a man was so irate because his plane had actually left on-time. "How dare they leave on time?" He yelled at the Alitalia counter attendant.

Imagine if Jesus came today, right now. How many angry and upset people would there be in the world? "But I was going to stop doing that for my new years resolution!" "But we were going to get married next week." "But I was going to confess on Sunday."

Funny how inpatient we can be with God but we hardly recognize his incredible patience for us. Well, not funny really.

He is restraining himself on account of us... Let's soak that in for a minute...

His power could consume us instantly yet his self control is so great it saves us. Thanks be to God for his abundant mercy and grace.