Our scripture this morning is 2 Peter 3:1-10.
“This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory. I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles. Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed. But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.”
Peter reminds us that while the Day of the Lord will come as a surprise, Jesus and the prophets have taught us how to be ready. We must repent, accept the gift of life He has given us and be ready to stand with Him when the day arrives. By changing our hearts and lives now we will be prepared for the coming of His kingdom.
Peter writes that “the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment” (v. 10), which is the sad truth. However, he tells us that God “is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (v. 9). God is giving us every chance to turn from sin and be saved.
We have been blessed with the truth of Christ, the certain hope of the resurrection and the promise of eternal life. It is a choice we must make and when we choose to follow Him, we accept the obligation of the cross. May we go to share His love with everyone.
Loving Lord, we are humbled by Your call to be part of the kingdom work. Bless us to be faithful and energetic as we carry the Good News to the world. Amen.