Two ways to look at it....

Today we are continuing to look at the question that many unbelievers and believers alike can struggle with - why is the coming of the Lord delayed?
We mentioned last time that there are two ways to look at this: a right way and a wrong way!

The wrong way is the way of unbelief. We find it laid out in verses 3-7:

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. (V 3-7)

The scoffers almost seem to have the same view of the Deists, many years ago. A good metaphor for what the Deists believed is that God was a very skilled clock-maker who formed the earth and wound it up -- then He walked away and left it ticking along on its own. But Peter says they forget two three things..... he also says they "deliberately" forget, and we mentioned yesterday that they push these concepts aside. They wish to ignore them.
But it's hard to ignore that in the beginning, the earth, the water, and the dry land was formed suddenly and solely by His word. He simply spoke and they came into being. And then, instead of walking away from that ticking clock, He intervened in the time of Noah.

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:5-8)

He looked and observed wickedness rampant in the earth. And He also saw that Noah walked justly and righteously in the midst of the sin. He saved the eight members of Noah's family, and two of every living thing upon the earth. Does this sound like He walked away and took no notice of man's activities in the world that He created?
Nope!
The flood waters came. The deluge happened. The world "that then existed" was deluged and perished. Then the rainbow -- the promise of God that He would not allow this again.
But we don't need to "forget" that there is another intervention coming! This time it will be the judgment of our holy God, and it will come by means of fire (v 7).

So what is the right way to view His delay in coming?
Let's review verses 8-10:

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.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. (II Peter 3:8-10)

There it is!
One reason that God is delaying Jesus' return is that He is holding off in patience for sinners. God offers through the gospel a sincere invitation to all to turn away from their sins (to repent) and to come to Christ (to believe on Him).

God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:3a-4)

He wants all to have the opportunity to be saved, and He will save those who ask:

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10) 

This free gift is the gospel message that we are to keep proclaiming:

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17)

There are some God means to save who are not saved yet. Aren't we glad that He waited for us? Oh yes!
Then we should rightly rejoice that He is delaying judgment for the sake of many others, yet to be saved.
Verse ten also tells us that He is holding to His plan for sin.

For God will bring every deed into judgment,    including every hidden thing,
    whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14)

There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. (Luke 12:2)

He has not walked away. He is not unaware of what is happening. He is not asleep.

but they do not realize    that I remember all their evil deeds.
Their sins engulf them;    they are always before me. (Hosea 7:2)

He is observing. He is waiting. He is patient.
But His plan for sin and for sinners has not changed.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

It's our responsibility - our joyful task - to spread the word!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:16)