April 2nd | Recall God's Words
A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PETER’S SECOND LETTER
RECALL GOD’S WORDS
2 Peter 3:1-2 “Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.”
Peter’s words in chapter three have a purpose. He is writing them to “remind” his readers of something that they have learned in the past. He wants them to “recall,” to remember the words of the prophets and the commandments God gave them.
In our day, much more so than probably at the time Peter is writing this letter, you suffer from “information overload.” From the time you arise in the morning and turn on your T.V. or listen to your radio you are bombarded with information. Some of it you want and much of it you do not. The weather is important. If you are retired the morning traffic report is superfluous. If you have children in school the fact that the neighborhood school is closed due to a water line break would be important but if you have no children or grandchildren in that school, you will quickly tune out that bit of information.
Peter urges his readers to remember and recall what the Prophets have written and God’s commandments teach. Satan will try to convince you to tune out this information. Sort of like the water problem at the elementary school. However, what the Prophets have written and God’s commandments teach you is of vital importance. And, yes most likely you do need encouragement to remember and recall what it is the Prophets have written and God has commanded.
Afterall, as John says about the words of his gospel, “ . . . these are written that you may believe x that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31) and the Psalmist’s words in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Remember Peter’s words in 2 Peter 1:19, “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” “ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6) Today’s devotional words remind you to remember what God says to you through His word.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, bring to my mind and heart the God’s word that reveals to me the path that leads to everlasting life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Speak, O Lord, Your servant listens, Let Your Word to me come near; Newborn life and spirit give me, Let each promise still my fear. Death’s dread pow’r, its inward strife, Wars against Your Word of life; Fill me, Lord, with love’s strong fervor That I cling to You forever!
Oh, what blessing to be near You And to listen to Your voice; Let me ever love and hear You, Let Your Word be now my choice! Many hardened sinners Lord, Flee in terror at Your Word; But to all who feel sin’s burden You give words of peace and pardon.
Lord, Your words are waters living When my thirsting spirit pleads. Lord, Your words ae bread life-giving; On Your words my spirit feeds. Lord, Your words will be my light Through death’s cold and dreary night; Yes, they are my sword prevailing And my cup of joy unfailing!
As I pray, dear Jesus, hear me; Let Your words in me take root. May Your Spirit e’er be near me That I bear abundant fruit. May I daily sing Your praise, From my heart glad anthems raise, Till my highest praise is given In the endless joy of heaven.
(LSB 589)