STANDING ON THE PROMISES! – 2 Peter 1:3-4 Devotional
2 Peter 1:3-4
“By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises.”
I recall an old saying, “If you are not standing on the promises, you will find yourself sitting on the premises.” One is an active process of involvement, and the other is a passive pastime of taking up space but contributing little. I suddenly am struck by the realization that the gripers, moaners, and fault finders of the world, are generally composed of those who are the “sitters on the premises.” If you are one of them, I hope to serve you your eviction notice before this article is finished.
I recall visiting my mother when she was a resident of an assisted living facility in Nampa, Idaho. I was struck by the hunger for attention of those who reside there. By the way, it is worth your time to listen and show your interest. What a mission field! I fear that we as Christians do not serve as positive role models in victorious Christian living. We moan and sigh and look like we have just been baptized in vinegar.
So what is Peter saying in this passage? He makes it so plain that it is hard to get more basic. He says that God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him.
Years ago I read a story about a man who was traveling from Europe to America on a ship. He could just barely scrape up the money for his ticket and a few things to eat on during the trip. After several days out to sea he ran out of food and was drawn to the wonderful food in the dining room. He was so hungry he knew he had to do something about it. He finally summoned up all of his courage and went to a steward and asked if he might be able to do some work so he could be able to eat a meal or two. The steward was startled by his request. He explained to the man that the ticket he had purchased included all the food he could eat. It was his all along, but he was starving for the lack of knowledge of what he possessed.
Many people in our day have the same problem. We lack the knowledge of what we possess. This traveler didn’t read his ticket and we don’t read our Bible! It is just as simple as that. Peter says that God has given us His very great and precious promises. These are given to us so that we might have an abundant life and a godly life. We are to be above the circumstances, not under them.
Pick up your dusty Bible that you are saving for who knows what and read and write down every promise that God has for His children. If you have personally received Him as your own personal savior, then claim all of the promises God has given each of us. It would be a great idea to have a notebook just to record each promise that you have found, and claim it as your own.
If you are only sitting on the premises, I guess your battle is over. Those who just sit on the premises are not stepping stones, they are stumbling blocks and we would like for you to move. ON FIRE BELIEVERS ARE COMING THROUGH!!!!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil