The beginning of a new year is a reminder to those alive that Godʼs patience -- the measuring standard for His mercy, has decreed another line on the ruler, another tick of the clock -- another reprieve from impending wrath.  Every breath you take is one more than you deserve and one less in your reserve.  A few observations on Godʼs patience:

       First, while its true that Godʼs mercy endures forever (Psa. 136), His patience doesnʼt.  One day the lines on your ruler will end and the revolutions on your clock will cease.  Only fools measure their future by the past mercies from God, thinking that much sand at the bottom of the hour glass must mean there is much left above.  God has never saved anyone in their future, only in the present (2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:15).

       Second, everyoneʼs ruler or clock is different.  Some never survive their first birthday, others outlive governments.  Peter says that as long as that clock "spins," regard that to be Godʼs salvation -- your window of opportunity to repent and believe -- and thus extend the "warranty" of His mercy.  But be warned -- windows that are never used are one day forever shut.  To waste valuable time in any other activity than getting right before God is an exercise in insanity.

       Lastly, the absence of Godʼs patience isnʼt the same as God being impatient.  One is lawful termination of undeserved mercy, the other is sinful lack of self-control.  While God may be provoked because of sin, Heʼs never rash in dealing with it.  Nothing external to God hurries or hinders how God chooses to be patient -- His slowness to action allowing time for His mercy to be found, as in what happened to Paul (1 Tim. 1:16); and time for His wrath to be fully developed, as in what happened to Pharaoh (Rom. 9:17).

       2008 should cause us to consider past "lines and ticks" -- to reevaluate and thank God for what we have been given, and to tremble at what little opportunities we have left.  The grinding wheel of Godʼs patience turns ever so slowly, ever so finely -- ever so personally.  Thatʼs good and bad news, depending on how you waste or invest His forbearance this coming year.