2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Ex 34:6-7
“Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving kindness and truth;”

Ps 86:15
“But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and truth.”

Rom 2:4
“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”

Listen to God, “All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations — a people who continually provoke me to my very face.” (Isa. 65:4)

The very patience of God works for our salvation. His desire that we come to repentance causes him to wait and wait. His very patience works out for our salvation (2 Pet. 3:15). These scriptures and many more talk about God’s patience, long suffering, in the KJV. Like grace and love and forgiveness, we do not deserve his patience. Based on our own experience with other humans we would have given up a long time ago. We would have thrown up our hands in disgust and defeat. God holds his out all day long and his day is at least a thousand years.

It is true that we are obstinate and chase our own dreams. We look God in the face an disobey him. We scorn the cross and the blood of his son. We crucify him again and again and yet God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, desiring to forgive. God is filled with love for us and in spite of our evil ways he keeps vigil in hopes we will turn to him in repentance. What God wants is expressed by the apostle Peter in 2 Pet. 3:14, “…make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”

Our God is patient, not wanting any to be lost, “But the day of the Lord will come…” (2 Pet. 3:10) His patience will not last forever. Those who reject him will be punished in the end. It’s not what he wants. He wants his kindness to lead you to repentance. Today God is holding out his hands. What will you do?