April 7th | Look Forward to the Day of God

March 25, 2025 5:24 AM

 A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PETER’S SECOND LETTER   

LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY OF GOD  

2 Peter 3:11-12 “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” 

The end of life and/or the end of the world frightens many. The fright comes from their consciences that are driven by their natural knowledge that God exists. They are frightened knowing their sinfulness. Thoughts about death and the end of the world raise this consciousness. Without faith in Jesus such knowledge makes what comes after death and the end of the world unknown and uncertain.   

Peter says for you what comes after death and the end of the world are not unknown and uncertain. Yes, God will destroy the very world that you have lived in. Yes, your life you have lived for however many years you have lived it will come to an end. You, because of your faith and trust in Jesus can face with certainty your death and the end of this world because you have Jesus’ promise to come and take you to be with Him in eternity. 

For this reason, you can look forward to the last day whether it be your death or the last day of this world’s existence. You know that the body you live in now is a temporary residence for your soul. (2 Corinthians 5:1ff) You know that this world in which you currently live is not your permanent place of residence. Your citizenship is not found here on earth but is reserved for you in heaven. (1 Peter 1:1ff)   

Jesus says to you, “I am coming quickly.” (Revelations 22:20) To this, through your faith and trust in Him you reply, “come Lord Jesus quickly, for I am waiting.” 

In the meantime, God sends His Holy Spirit into your heart to strengthen you in your faith and trust in Jesus who has earned for you a permanent home in heaven. You are a stranger here; heaven is your home. 

Prayer: Lord, come quickly for I am waiting and I know I will not be disappointed. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

I’m but a stranger here, Heav’n is my home;  Earth is a desert drear, Heav’n is my home.  Danger and sorrow stand Round me on ev’ry hand;  Heav’n is my fatherland, Heav’n is my home. 

What though the tempest rage, Heav’n is my home;  Short is my pilgrimage, Heav’n is my home;  And time’s wild wintry blast Soon shall be overpast;  I shall reach home at last, Heav’n is my home. 

Therefore I murmur not; Heav’n is my home;  Whate’er my earthly lot, Heaven’ is my home;  And I shall surely stand There at my Lord’s right hand;  Heav’n is my fatherland, Heav’n is my home.
(LSB 748)