Scripture
Our verse for today is in 2 Peter 3:8, ” But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. “
Background
Companies and organizations and sports teams spend a lot of time and money trying to come up with slogans that capture their vision and purpose. Some groups develop a single motto or creed that becomes their signature to the outside world. Others might come up with new ones each year, focusing on a specific goal or purpose for that time. And often times the saying is boiled down to one or two snappy words, like ” Together ” or ” You Matter ” or ” Focused. ” This brevity might speak as much to our general lack of retention as it does to the actual singularity of purpose of the organization. We are prone to forget, aren’t we? So Peter does a good thing for us here as he reminds us not to forget one thing. And what is the catch phrase that he wants us to remember? Well, it’s not your standard bullet point that narrows our focus to a single idea, is it? On the contrary, it completely blows our minds as we wrestle with the concept of a God who is outside of time. However, this eternal God who will come again like a thief in the night, uses this combination of eternity and urgency to remind us three verses later to live in holy conduct and godliness. Our one day of Christlike service can work a thousand years of good for His kingdom. One day of humble obedience can foster a thousand years of praise and worship.
Application
So what is the one thing that you need to remember? What is it in your life that can turn the tide and get you going where He wants you to be? Maybe it’s a little word like love. Since God is love, do you love like Him?
Do you love with patience? I know I don’t. Is your love free of envy and pride? Rarely. Perhaps it struggles with rudeness or gets provoked. Mine does. Can you say that your love doesn’t seek its own causes, or that it endures all things? I’m not even close. Does your love never fail? Are you kidding? If you’re struggling, try and remember one thing. Let God work on one thing. It’s what He’s best at, and it might be the one thing that will make an eternal difference.
Charge
As we seek Him this one day, remember one thing that God can use in you to change someone around you. Remember that we are bought by God and we are not our own. Remember that He is in your and has overcome the world.
Rich Holt / Originally Published on : BCWorldview.org
Also published on : Medium.com.
