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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 19 October 2023:
2 Peter 3:3, 4 — Scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming?”
Do you know any scoffers today?
2 Peter 3:9, 10 — The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.
God’s patience will not last forever, and there will be no warning when it comes. God’s timing is perfect. Only the Father knows the time of the End as he patiently provides mercy and salvation to sinners who would perish eternally without. Meanwhile, God has commanded us to preach the Gospel and make disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey all of His commands.
2 Peter 3:11 – A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.
From Henry T. Blackaby — When God told Abraham He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham’s life was immediately and radically affected. Noah could not carry on business as usual once he knew what God was planning for his generation. Knowing that God is preparing judgment brings a sobering reality to Christians, helping us recognize what is eternally significant and what is not. Peter cautions us that a catastrophic time of judgment is coming. On the day of the Lord there will be a great noise, and the elements will melt with a fervent heat. On that day, he warns, the earth will be consumed. Peter assures us that this is not mere speculation; it is certain and imminent. He then asks the crucial question that applies to each generation: “What kind of persons ought you to be?” With judgment pending for us and countless millions of people facing destruction, how should we live our lives? Many Christians attach great value to temporal things. Hobbies and possessions consume us, leaving little time or energy to invest in what is eternal. More than anyone else, Christians should be sensitive to the times in which we live. We should walk so closely with God that if He were preparing to bring judgment upon people, we could warn those in imminent peril. Since Christ has been long-suffering in His return so that no one might perish (2 Pet. 3:9), should we not invest our effort in building God’s eternal kingdom? Should there not be an urgency about us to complete the tasks that God gives us?
2 Peter 3:14 — Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
Are you diligently pursuing purity, holiness, and peace with God as you eagerly await His return?
2 Peter 3:17, 18 — You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Grace is not freedom to live lawlessly. Grace affords you the opportunity to pursue and even higher degree of obedience which is motivated by genuine love rather than fear or duty. Many view salvation as freedom to sin without fear of punishment. However, this is a misguided, selfish, and false view of Grace. The one who has been saved from God’s wrath through the blood of His son desires above all else not to continue in the very sins for which Jesus suffered — this is unthinkable. How could anyone be so flippant with such sacrifice of love from God Himself? Peter warns not to get trapped by this false teaching or by the practices of lawless ‘Christians.’
A popular teaching today suggests that grace renders the Law obsolete. Gods warns us against lawlessness. Grace frees us and empowers us to grow in obedience which is the natural response of love for Jesus. The more we know Jesus, the more obedient we are, and the more we grow spiritually.
Daniel 4:18 – This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.
It was evident to the king that the Spirit of God was in Daniel.
Daniel 4:25-27 – …that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules. Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.
God intended to humble proud Nebuchadnezzar and teach Him that God is King, and the King demands obedience from all people. Daniel counselled Nebuchadnezzar to obey God above all else – sound counsel for anyone. God will be honored as the Most High and the Sovereign.
Daniel 4:34, 37 – I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever…. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
A ruthless king repented. God is always doing two things at once in the life of a person, He is working on His one-on-one relationship with that person, and He is also using that relationship to reveal Himself to a watching world. He is doing these two things in your life too.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 19 October 2023: Today, make this your focus: “Be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.” (2 Peter 3:14)
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 