We live in a world of uncertainty – attacks on faith, questions regarding morals, and fear threaten to take over.
Did this all has come as a surprise to God?
You may not have asked this question intentionally. But as we ponder the chaos and struggle to make choices, the fear and anxiousness that lingers in the back of our minds are a testament to the question we may never say out loud. We look at political candidates that seem so far removed, receive orders to places we didn’t intend to go, watch the news to see anger in the eyes of strangers, and struggle to even have a real conversation with the neighbor next door.
It’s a crazy world.
But not one part of it is a surprise to God.
We may not have seen it coming and we certainly have no idea where it’s all headed (except for the ultimate objective of Heaven), but we do know the One who weaves it all together for our good (Romans 8:28) and His glory (Matthew 5:16 and 1 Corinthians 10:31). He’s drawing us back to Himself.
Wondering who’s right? Scripture has Truth.
Struggling with emotions? Scripture has Truth.
Challenged by choices? Scripture has Truth.
Feel attacked, disappointed, afraid, hurt, sad – whatever it is: Scripture has Truth.
Peter, around 60 A.D., wrote a letter to believers, both for his own time and for ours. He warned against false prophets, turning away from Truth, and attacks on faith and Church. Peter was providing wisdom and direction for believers to tackle a world that looks very much like ours.
He tells them at the outset, “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). They were facing questions about Truth, trying to make decisions in a world where right was hard to find and Peter reminded them that with Christ they has everything they needed to walk in faith.
The reminder Peter gave them is a reminder for us too. Through the letter, he continuously pointed them back to truth – the Truth they already knew. The same standard works for us. Scripture has Truth. When we question, doubt, or wonder, we go back to the only thing that remains the same – God and His Word – then we walk in faith and obedience.
As much as we feel like our time is harder, different, whatever, Scripture reminds us it’s not so different after all.
Human nature has been the same since Adam and Eve – but so has God.
I do love how Peter closes out his letter. It’s both a warning and a reminder. The last two verses of the book read, “Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position. 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” (2 Peter 3:17-18).
He said, “Now that you know, pay attention.” Instead of being led away by error or lawless people, we should grow in grace and knowledge. He leads us back to Truth. By knowing and following this Truth, we can keep a “stable position,” meaning we’re strong and secure. Much like a lineman in football gets his feet wide and body low so when his opponent hits he can stand firm, our faith does the same for us. Giving us firm footing and great balance, we can defend against the enemy too.
At the end of the day, we all live for one thing – to bring honor and glory to God. If you’re questioning your ability to hold on or take the next step today, just go back to verse 3 of chapter 1: He has given us everything we need for life and godliness. Everything.
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