2 Peter 3:4-7

2 Peter 3:4-7

… while they say, “Where is the promise of His coming? For from that time that the fathers who fell asleep, all things were continuing in the same way from the beginning of creation.”  For this escapes their notice while thinking that the heavens were a long time ago and the earth out of water and through water having come into existence by the Word of God.  Through which, the world was destroyed while being flooded by water.  And now the heavens and the earth, having been rescued by His Word, are while being kept for fire in the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As Peter continues along in his explanation of the people who knew Christ but then fall away, Peter uncovers a dark truth.  Human beings tend to be a bit short-sighted.  We also tend to be a bit on the impatient side.  People want from God what they think is best.  They want God to work according to their timing.  When Christ didn’t return on their schedule, they got impatient and that led to rebellion and falling away from God’s ways.  We must learn this lesson.  It is easy to let our impatience lead to rebellion rather than trusting that God’s promise is true throughout all time.

How easily do you trust in God?  Are you patient when it comes to God’s leading?

Second Thought:

Peter begins to refute this argument in this passage, although he will continue to refute it in the reading for tomorrow.  In today’s reading, Peter reminds his audience that the universe is not as stable as they think it is.  It isn’t as they say.  The world is not the same as it was since the beginning of creation.  At the very least, the world was destroyed by a great flood since it was created.  It is not as though nothing has changed.  To continue Peter’s point, remember that the world is not the same.  People live shorter lives since then.  Nations have risen and fallen.  Power and wealth have traded hands.  Cultures have grown.  In fact, about the only thing that has remained the same is God’s Word.  This is why we can trust God’s Word.  The world is constantly changing.  But the world continues to be held together by the Word.

Do you believe that the world is held together by the Word of God?  What evidence can you lift up to this fact?

Third Thought:

So what is Peter’s point?  As the world changes, there is judgment.  As there was the flood, the day is coming when the world will be destroyed once more.  All of creation will stand before God in a great day of judgment.  Only His Word will sustain us in that moment, too.

What do you think the Day of Judgment will be like?  How do you think God will sustain us even through His judgment?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Peter 3:8-10