What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” and, “In the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ ” Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality.” It is just as Isaiah said previously: “Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.”

—Parallel verse:
Jeremiah‬ ‭33:3‬
[God speaking]
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Why does God allow evil to continue to exist and seemingly thrive at times on earth? Some people enjoy doing evil. And they seem to succeed at it in life. Why?

I understand that this is a testing ground, and God allows me to be tested by challenges and live among the ungodly to draw close to him. I also understand that when I go through trials, I will be able to help others with the comfort I myself have received from God (II Corinthians 1:3-5). But at times I just have to ask the question: “Why is God waiting so long to come back for his children?”

Right here in this passage, Paul opens up the mind of God to us for a moment. It is like the heavens have been parted and we get a glimpse into how God plans on a generational and global level. One thing is clear … God is thinking of way bigger objectives than I am most of the time. Paul teaches us here that God allows the objects of his wrath (sinful men) to continue to live, and the earth to continue to be impacted by them. Why? He wants to make his glory known to the objects of his mercy (followers of Jesus). He wants us to know him closer and better. He also wants more people to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord & Savior. So he is patient and he waits. And in the waiting process we see the great and unsearchable things of God! What a privilege and an honor! He is our hope and our joy and our peace!

Lord, teach me to get excited about “the waiting” because you are creating time for more to enter your kingdom! You are also showing me your glory! May I seek after your heart of patience, as I love those around me.