Verse of the Day 12/16

 

2 Peter 3:8-9 Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape you, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.

⁹ The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

Our men's Bible study group finished our study in the book of 2 Peter this morning.  It is where we go for today's verse.  These are the final words that we have from the Apostle Peter and the final chapter does a good job of looking back while looking forward.  It is what each of us should be doing as Christians, especially this Christmas season.  Looking back to the beginning when the world was created, to the prophecies of the long expected Messiah from the early chapters of Genesis forward. Then, we look forward to His second coming when He will come again in triumph to bring His people home.

 

There were four hundred years of silence from the time of the last of the writings of the Old Testament prophets until the coming of Jesus.  At His arrival many had given up on the event.  They were no longer looking for Him.  Many today have heard predictions of His second coming and look at it the same way in the same disregard.  In the final paragraph Peter encourages his readers to be diligent to be found by Him "at peace and without spot or blemish".  It is a reminder to know what we believe.  It is a call to prepare for His return, even though it has been over 2000 years, to Him it is like a couple of days as it will be for us when we consider eternity.

 

Are we "diligent" about  studying, investigating the Christmas story, the true story?  Our Pastor Bob has been doing so over the past few weeks.  Going beyond the public version of several Biblical accounts mashed into one and getting to the heart of the different accounts.  We each should have the same kind of desire to know the rest of the story, the rest of the Bible in the same detail.  May it be our goal as we go through this Advent Season and into the New Year.  May the coming year be one where we will follow Peter's call in his final words to us: 

 

^" But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.  2 Peter 3:18  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee. 
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.  Charles Wesley

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

2 Peter 3:8-9

The Message (MSG)

The Day the Sky Will Collapse

^8-9 Don't overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.