to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water
1 Peter 3:20 NIV
It is a humbling truth to recognise how merciful God was to the people in the days of Noah. Scripture reminds us in 1 Peter 3:20 that, although they disobeyed God while Noah was building the ark, the Lord patiently waited for them to repent. His mercy endured as the ark took shape, giving them time to turn back to Him.
God entrusted Noah with a message of warning about the coming flood that would cover the whole earth. Noah faithfully proclaimed this word and obeyed God’s instructions. Yet those who heard his call refused to listen, shutting their ears to God’s gracious warning.
If God had been impatient, He could have shortened the process. He could have caused the ark to appear in an instant and then sent the flood without delay. Instead, He chose to wait. His patience carried purpose, as He gave people the chance to repent while they watched Noah build the ark day after day. The construction itself served as a living testimony, a sign of His warning, and an invitation to reflect and return to Him.
The Passion Translation puts it plainly: “During the time of Noah, God patiently waited while the ark was being prepared. Only a few—eight souls in all—were brought safely through the flood waters.” Despite God’s extended patience, only Noah and his family entered the ark.
This truth speaks powerfully into our lives today. God still waits patiently. His mercy continues, and His heart longs for people to turn to Him and receive the salvation He offers through Christ. His patience is not indifference but a purposeful delay, giving us time to repent, grow, and draw nearer to Him.
For me, this truth brings a personal challenge. I must first recognise that God’s patience also reaches me. In this season of waiting, I cannot afford to take His grace lightly. I must hold firmly to the truths I have received and press into the areas where I need to improve, before it is too late.
It also calls us to join this merciful God in His compassionate waiting. Just as Noah preached righteousness in his generation, we, too, must use this season to reach others with the message of salvation. Every day, every opportunity, and every conversation matters. God’s waiting is deliberate, decisive, and full of mercy. He gives people time to turn to Him, and He invites us to share in that mission.
Living It Out
Pause today and reflect on God’s patience in your own life. Are there areas where He has been waiting for you to respond? Do not delay. Surrender those places to Him and embrace His call. Then ask Him for courage to share His truth with those around you. God’s patience is an open door for salvation—both for you and for those who still need to hear.