2 Peter 2: The Lord Knows How to Rescue the Godly

Today’s reading is 2 Peter 2.

Let’s admit it. 2 Peter 2 is pretty dark. A surface reading makes the prospect look dim. If we are not careful, we can read these two chapters as saying we are all in danger of falling away from God’s grace. In fact, we will likely do so. After all, there are even active agents striving to pull us away. They are awful people who entice us with sensual passions, despising authority, trained in greed, great at deception. What chance do we have against them?

Not only that, Peter also reminds us of awful judgments. He mentions the cataclysm in the days of Noah. He calls to mind the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah. He even tells us about angels cast into hell and committed to chains of gloomy darkness being kept for judgment. If angels get judged, what hope do we have? Frankly, I can understand why someone might be looking for a different chapter to read.

However, sprinkled through this dark warning, is the light of hope and promise. Do not forget where all this began in 2 Peter 1. God’s divine power has given us all we need to partake of His divine nature. The deck is not actually stacked against us. We do need to understand what is at stake. We must not assume that because God freed us from the world’s corruption we are immune to danger. We must not lose sight that we must respond to the grace God has offered. All that being said, we must not forget God is offering grace. We must not forget God is more powerful than Satan. We must not forget God wants to save us.

Yes, Peter brings up the worldwide flood. But he also reminds us despite the incredible wickedness throughout the world, God knew precisely how to save Noah and his family. He knew how to do that even though they were only one righteous family in the whole world. They were the proverbial needle in the haystack. But God knew exactly how to deliver them. God gave them everything they needed to be delivered. Peter tells us about the fiery judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. But he also reminds us God delivered Lot. Though the world is full of corruption, though there are false teachers actively working against us, though horrific and terrible judgment is coming, the God who has given us all we need knows how to deliver us.

Further, let us not for a moment think Peter’s readers didn’t remember the original stories of Noah and Lot. There were significant similarities, especially regarding events that happened with Noah and Lot after their deliverances. But there were significant differences. If we take the original stories in Genesis side by side, Noah comes out way ahead of Lot on the righteousness scale. Yet, both men are delivered. Peter pictures both men as the righteous oppressed. Certainly, Noah was not perfectly righteous, but including Lot in this chapter gives some real hope to those of us who have made big mistakes even in our hunger for and pursuit of righteousness. And the point remains strong. God knows how to deliver. He knew how to deliver Noah. He knew how to deliver Lot. He knows how to deliver us.

We do not have to fall prey to the false teachers. We can, by God’s strength and grace add virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love to our faith. We can make our calling and election sure. We can avoid being swine bathing in mud and dogs returning to our own vomit.

God has given us all we need. God is still working. We can look to Him. We are not destined for destruction. Let us hang on to Jesus who has called us to His glory and excellence. As 1 Peter repeatedly encouraged us, let us entrust ourselves to God, looking to Him, listening to Him, relying on Him. He will deliver us. He wants to. God is not blinded by the many who reject His salvation. He is looking for people to deliver. He knows how to deliver us. We can be those people if we hang on to the outstretched hand of salvation He is sending us through Jesus Christ.

Praise God! He knows how to deliver us!

Tomorrow’s reading is 2 Peter 2.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does 2 Peter 2 prompt or improve your trust in God?

The King of Righteousness and Peace

Today’s reading is Hebrews 7.

In Genesis 14, a coalition of four kings fought against a coalition of five kings. In the back and forth, Lot, the nephew of Abraham, was captured. When Abraham led 318 trained men, he defeated the four kings and freed Lot, with his possessions, and the women and the people.

Following Abraham’s victory another king, not one of the five or of the four, met Abraham. He was Melchizedek, king and priest of Salem, that is, Jerusalem. Our author in Hebrews tells us about this man beginning with the meaning of the priest’s name. Melchizedek means “king of righteousness.” Then he tells us about his office. He is also the “king of Salem,” that is, he is the “king of peace.”

No doubt, there are many aspects of the shadow and substance comparison between Melchizedek and Jesus that can prompt discussion for some time. However, our author is letting us know when God says of Jesus in Psalm 110:4, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek,” he is claiming Jesus is not only priest, but also the king of righteousness and the king of peace. This can’t be said of Moses, Aaron, or any of their descendants.

This king of righteousness and peace, was greater than Abraham. Our author explains that must be so because beyond doubt the superior blesses the inferior. When Abraham came from his victory, Melchizedek blessed Abraham. The king of Sodom was not able to bless Abraham. But this king of Salem was. This king of Salem who was not part of any of these kingly coalitions was greater than all the other kings. Why? Because he was a priest of the Most High God.

Further, he wasn’t a priest because of his parents. He didn’t pass his priesthood on to his children. He was a priest for one reason only, God Most High had selected him. In this way, Melchizedek became like the Son of God. This is, no doubt, reminding us of the two psalms our author brought together back in Hebrews 5:5-6. In Psalm 2:7, God says, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.” But don’t forget that follows this statement: “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” Salem is Jerusalem, it is on Zion, God’s holy hill. Our author is allowing these two psalms (2 and 110) to inform each other and fill in the gaps between each other. Melchizedek had been appointed by God in Zion, in Jerusalem, on His holy hill. The order of Melchizedek is not one of descent or ancestry. It is not one about when, how, or where one is born. Neither is it about when, how, or where one dies. It is about being selected, appointed, established, set by God.

Jesus, being a priest after the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Aaron is more than a priest. He is the king of righteousness. He is the king of peace. He is the superior one above patriarchs and potentates who provides blessing. We will be blessed only if we take refuge in Him. Otherwise we will be punished like those kings who refuse to kiss the Son (don’t forget while the people of the king of Sodom were here delivered by Abraham, ultimately they are judged by God–Genesis 19). But in Jesus, we find righteousness and peace. In Jesus, we find deliverance.

Jesus, God’s Son, was established, appointed, selected, chosen by God. We will be established, appointed, selected, chosen by God if we are in Jesus. Let us hang on to Jesus no matter what.

Tomorrow’s reading is Hebrews 7.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. What do you know about Melchizedek?
3. Why is it important that Jesus is greater than Abraham?
4. If Abraham gave so much to Melchizedek, what should we give to Jesus?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?

Intolerant

Today’s reading is Matthew 11.

Back in Matthew 10:15, Jesus had told the apostles whoever refused to listen to them would not fare even as well as Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of their judgment. Now, in Matthew 11:24, He says the same thing to the towns and villages themselves because they are rejecting His teaching. Remember, this is right on the heels of Jesus explaining the Jews were rejecting Him because He wasn’t dancing to their tune.

It will be more tolerable for Sodom, Tyre, and Sidon than for Capernaum, Chorazin, and Bethsaida because these latter three had seen more evidence. Jesus had done His amazing works among them. These towns of Israel had more access to God’s word, will, and work and would be judged more strictly.

Question: Where does that leave today’s towns, villages, cities, counties, parishes, states, territories, and countries? Admittedly, I am thinking from my experience in my own country, the USA. The Bible has been the highest selling book in the Western world for generations. We can find hard copies of the Bible for mere dollars. If someone has access to a computer (think: public library) or a smart phone, he or she can have a Bible for free. I doubt there is a single person in this country that hasn’t at least heard of the Bible. I doubt there are many that don’t at least know the Bible is considered to be the Word of God by lots of people. Where does that leave us?

We have all we need. We have the easiest and greatest access to it in all of history. Understand what this will mean for our day of judgment. As much as our generation wants to talk about tolerance, we need to know that the coming day of judgment will not be very tolerant for us. If we reject Jesus, it won’t be for lack of God shining the light on Him. God is not going to be very tolerant on us if we reject Jesus. In fact, He is going to be downright intolerant. By the way, lets not forget this is going to include this generation that demands Jesus play by their rules. We may convince ourselves we are following Jesus, but those among us who change the rules and remake Jesus in our own image will not be tolerated in the judgment.

Do you have ears? Please, hear what Jesus is saying to His generation and to ours.

Tomorrow’s reading is Matthew 11.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. Why do so many ignore the coming day of judgment?
3. Why do so many who ignore Jesus think that even if there is a day of judgment they will be tolerated?
4. What is the only way for us to be tolerated in the day of judgment?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?

More Bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah

Today’s reading is Matthew 10.

I get it. It’s not usual for a daily devotional reading to be centered around a passage of judgment. Usually, we try to find something uplifting and encouraging. Usually, we try to find something that makes the reader feel good. Every once in a while, however, we have to remember what is at stake. Judgment is coming.

Please, understand what Jesus is saying. Do you recall what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah? Do you recall the intense judgment? Do you recall that only three people survived that judgment? Fire and brimstone rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot and his daughters were the only ones to make it to safety. How do you suppose the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah are going to fare in the final judgment? It is possible Jesus is actually saying, “Do you remember how awful it was for Sodom and Gomorrah on their day of judgment? That day was easier on them than the day of judgment on the towns of Israel who ignore My ambassadors will be when it comes.”

I have no doubt that was in part a reference to the coming judgment in 70 AD when God used Rome to bring judgment on the Jews and destroy Jerusalem. However, there is no doubt the ultimate fulfillment is for anyone who ignores the word of Jesus given through His apostles, the final judgment will be worse than it was or will be for those who were judged in Sodom and Gomorrah.

Please, understand what is at stake for us. Jesus isn’t saying, “I’m coming. If you don’t measure up, I’m going to judge you.” He is saying, “Judgment is coming. If you turn to Me, I’ll save you from it.”

Will you turn to Jesus? Can we help you do so?

Tomorrow’s reading is Matthew 10.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. Why don’t we like to think about a coming judgment?
3. Why do we need to think about the coming judgment?
4. What advice would you give to others to encourage them to turn to Jesus before the coming judgment?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?