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. 2 Peter 3:9
Tomorrow our nation celebrates Juneteenth, the day marking the last group of slaves in Galveston, Texas to hear the news they were free. Soon, we can truly say our nation celebrates this day after congress’ historic approval this week to establish Juneteenth as a national holiday. What started 158 years ago with the Emancipation Proclamation, will finally be celebrated across the country. What took so long?
Well, not all news that is good is good news to all. The reason there were still slaves in Galveston who did not know of the Emancipation Proclamation 2½ years prior is not just a lack of internet. Union soldiers faced harsh resistance spreading the news in confederate states. Even after Juneteenth slavery continued in many places. White plantation owners not willing to give up free labor refused to do so until forced. The ability of federal soldiers to see that slaves were liberated in every remote corner of the country took many years. Good news travels slowly sometimes because of bad resistance, but God is persistent!
The Greek word for Good News is evangelion. The root of that word is angel. An angel is a messenger of God’s good news. That’s what angels do; they report for God. You could say the history of the world since Adam and Eve bit the forbidden fruit has been a long saga of God’s continued effort to bring redemption to the sin and evil of the world. If you grow weary of the pace of positive change, imagine how God must feel! But God is always looking for new angels.
Our world continues to struggle with race relations, equality, and justice. People who benefit from the way things are are slow to see a need for change, and in some cases outright resist it. But we worship a resilient God who will not stop until the ways of God are done on earth as they are in heaven. Juneteenth is a great celebration for our country. With this week’s bill to establish a new national holiday, we have even more reason to celebrate it. But the day also reminds us victory is not complete. More work is yet to be done. The arrival of the great Good News may not be as speedy as we like, but it never gives up. Neither will we.
May you know today that the God who doesn’t give up on our world doesn’t give up on you. We all have a long way to go to be everything God made us to be. Thank goodness for Godly patience and persistence.
Rob