SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 3
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
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. [2 Peter 3:10]
The return of the Lord is taking forever – it’s been almost 2000 years since the early disciples said His coming was imminent, at hand, near.
Can we blame people for saying it’s not going to happen.
Peter’s response is: God has a reason for taking His time, but the day is coming when He will finally resolve everything.
But when that is, is not known to us.
We know it’s coming, we just don’t know when!
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” [Luke 12:38-40]
Jesus says the same thing.
Both of them also say that since we know He is coming, we should be getting ready.
We should be living in a way that honours Him, ready for His return.
Because we know that God will one day punish sin and the ungodly, we must live today in a holy, godly way.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. [2 Peter 3:11-12]
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. [2 Peter 3:14]
Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.[2 Peter 3:17]
Make every effort, be on your guard, you’ve been forewarned.
Yes, if you become careless or lazy, you can fall from your secure position.
However this fits with God’s election, the plain sense of this passage is clear.
We need to make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [2 Peter 1:10-11]
God hates sin, do I?
Is my lifestyle today preparing me for the day when the Lord returns?
Will the Master find me ready?
PRAYER:
Lord, life in this world has gone on for so long, it’s easy to forget the final judgment. Thank You for Your patience with me, giving me a chance to truly repent. Help me to live the kind of life I would be happy to be living when You finally show up.
Listen.
This is the second time to remind you about these thoughts. Listen to words of yesterday spoken by God’s servants – the prophets and apostles. They are for LIFE. He is coming, soon. But His timing is not our timing. And so we forget. Or we fall by the wayside. We become scoffers like in the days of Noah. Oh ya, sure the judgement will come. Noah the crazy man. Christian, you are out of your mind!
Since we have His Word, each day must be lived as our last. We know neither the time or the season, but the day will come. He promised. Praise Him for new beginnings like each day – a new day to serve Him asHis kid. Kids of the Kingdom, that’s who we are. His children looking forward to live with the Father forever. I am His and He is mine. I must make sure that nothing ever separates that thought, that connection, that LIFE blood.
And so today, as I lead the staff in morning devotions, standing on the threshold of a new school year, I remind them and myself that we live on purpose for He has called us and has equipped us. Life long learning not only in the academics but in the knowledge of our Lord God because that Word gives life and purpose and meaning and security. He is the wind beneath our wings and in His Light we see light. Help us on our way Lord each day anew to live for Jesus.
1. Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
through eternal ages let his praises ring;
glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;
standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God.
(Refrain)
3. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,
overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
standing on the promises of God.
(Refrain)
4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,
resting in my Savior as my all in all,
standing on the promises of God.
(Refrain)