MADE BEAUTIFUL

Today is made beautiful to me by the Lord, since he has helped my heart to see what my eyes did not. God is real and is actually in the world, working for his righteousness and glory! Not that he has to prove to me that he is, in fact, real, but that I need to be reminded of this over and over again…
I was reading 2 Peter today and the words came to life for me. I was just going to read a little, but I read the entire letter since I was drawn to it and the teaching stirred something in my heart that had not previously been there.
God is stirring in me a hunger for Himself that I have been so badly lacking and haven’t been reading my Bible for a long time. I am so incredibly hungry! And his truth is so poignant! His word really is a gem and this time, I understood every word (the Holy Spirit’s doing) and it was speaking to me!
To the believer, it says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
But I had forgotten, since verse 9 says, “But if anyone [has not added to their faith the qualities of goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love] he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” And 10 & 11 add, “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make you’re calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
I hate to admit I have been quite nearsighted and blind lately. But I have already been transformed, made new, and I have not been living it. I have not been even grateful for Jesus cleansing blood, let alone practicing these qualities through faith. How miserable a discovery! Do I not have everything I need by his power? Do I not believe his wonderful promises? Am I escaping being corrupted by my own evil desires? Am I adding anything to my faith at all? But, God says more…
We are to pay attention, to be certain, “as to a light shinning in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts” (1:19)! Wow! A light shinning in a dark place… I want to be that light, but I want even more for the morning star to rise in my heart at the new dawn… The morning star is the sun, which gives life to the Earth and without it, our world would not survive. But, to men, the morning star is Christ, who gives life and whom we have total dependence on as well. Or do we?
The letter goes on to say that god did not spare the angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell. He didn’t spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on the ungodly, but spared Noah who preached righteousness, and seven others. He condemned Sodom & Gommorah, but rescued Lot who was a righteous man and was distressed by the filthy lives of the lawless people around him.
Then get this: “if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.” The Lord knows how to rescue me. Will I trust him? Or will I deny him?
The following verses speak of those who have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of wickedness, they who promise freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity – “for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him” (2:19) “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the scared command that was passed on to them.” (20,21)
These are some strong words that must be considered in reflection with my own state and not taken lightly. They are to be dwelt upon, and answered honestly; otherwise I am only fooling myself, and still not escaping God’s judgment. But the following words come as an encouragement:
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some would understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to parish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (3:8,9)
And I praise the Lord for his patience and though I have remembered that he is just, he is also merciful and is calling his children to himself. He wants each and every person to live, if they will just turn from their wickedness and belong to God. Thank you Lord for speaking to me today and showing me these truths. You truly are good.