January 14th, 2013 
dsisler In recent months, I’ve had two very long days. Days that seemed to last forever. Dates that never seemed to change.
The first was returning from my journey to SE Asia. We left on October 5, 2012 and 36 hours later, we arrived in the United States on October 5, 2012. That was a long day!
The second was this past Friday. My daughter called me at 11:50 p.m. on January 10th with the news that she was headed to the hospital to deliver our newest grandchild. Leslieanna Grace joined our family on January 11th at 1:38 a.m.
I went home for several hours and when I returned in the early afternoon, I was given a pass with the date January 11th on it. I thought they must have it wrong. It surely was the next day. But no, it was still January 11th and to be honest, there were still several hours remaining for that date. I just hadn’t been able to sleep through many of them.
I find it interesting that this is what I chose to write about today. Seemingly unending days. Very good and promising days, but very long days.
I’m sure we could look through Scripture and find days that seemed very similar to my situation.
Perhaps you thought of Joshua’s long day in Joshua 10:1-15 when the sun stood still. But I also can’t help but think that Moses thought the day Israel fought the Amalekites was a very long day as well (Exodus 17:8-13).
As long as Moses’ arms were raised in the air, the Israelite army was victorious. And as his arms grew weary, the battle didn’t go as well. His arms were raised until sunset that day. And Joshua and the Israelites overcame the Amalekite army.
I also think of the last day and night Jesus spent on this earth in bodily form. It began early in the day with the preparation of the Passover Feast. Jesus sent Peter and John to make the arrangements (Luke 22:7-8).
The day was filled with teaching and prayer. Life lessons and personal reflection. Trials and betrayals. Announcements and disappointments. Special moments and disturbing conversations.
Jesus’ blood was poured out that day in the symbolism of the Lord’s Supper as well as in His anguished sweat. His body was given physically and spiritually. The Prince of heaven was offered as the sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. Once and for all, it was accomplished.
Yes, it was a long day, but Jesus willingly yielded Himself to the day. It was the reason He had been sent to earth. It was His purpose.
I love the emotion we see in John 13:1 (NIV) about this very idea. “Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.”
And Jesus’ reaction toward us reflects God’s own. The full extent of God’s love to us is that He desires each of us to accept His grace. The good news? God is very patient. His days are not regulated the way our days are.
2 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV) assures us of this very thought. “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. 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.”
God will wait patiently for you to come to repentance. A day or a thousand days. A million days. It doesn’t matter how long He must wait, God is waiting for you.
Your day may seem long. It may seem unending. But I can guarantee with God as your partner in the day, it will be manageable. He will lift you up through the day. He will be with you through the day. He will even take the day if you offer it to Him.
Why wait another day? Tomorrow is still hours away. Seize the day. Today. It will be worth it all.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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