Day Thirty

If you have 5 minutes!

Read Acts 7:17-18 & 2 Peter 3:3-9

17 “As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased. 18 Then ‘a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.’ 19 He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.

3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

As John Stott notes, “The Israelites’ exile and slavery in Egypt lasted for four bitter centuries. Had God forgotten his people, and his promise to bless them? No. He had warned Abraham of their 400 years of enslavement and mistreatment. But now at last the time drew near…”

• Imagine that you are an Israelite living 200 years into this 400-year period of slavery. How would you feel? What do you think your relationship with God would be like?
• Are there times when you have waited a long time for God to answer a prayer? Are there prayers you’ve repeatedly prayed that you’re still waiting for God to answer? What does it feel like to wait? What does it mean to wait well? How can we help one another in this?
• How do you feel about the fact that throughout history people have often had to wait long periods of time before God acts in the way they’ve been hoping for? Why do you think God didn’t act sooner here? Why in general do you think God doesn’t always act as quickly as we might want or expect him to?

If you have a bit longer :-)

• Before reading onto the remainder of Stephen’s speech have a think about where you think he might be going with all of this and why.