Meet with God, Part 11

 

“For we did not follow cleverly concocted fables when we made known to you the power and return of our Lord Jesus Christ; no, we were eyewitnesses of his grandeur. For he received honor and glory from God the Father, when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory: “This is my dear Son, in whom I am delighted.” When this voice was conveyed from heaven, we ourselves heard it, for we were with him on the holy mountain. Moreover, we possess the prophetic word as an altogether reliable thing. You do well if you pay attention to this as you would to a light shining in a murky place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination, for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” –2 Peter 1:16-21, NET

Here, Spirit-filled Peter recalls His experience atop that mountain, saying they “were eyewitnesses of his grandeur” and directly heard the announcement from heaven. Perhaps it’s easy to be convinced of something when God audibly booms a message from heaven. Yet notice carefully that Peter says we all “possess” a thing equally reliable to such an encounter with God: "the prophetic WORD.”

Do you see this? The holy scriptures, which you can hold in your hand and read at your leisure, is “something more sure” (ESV)! Even when His words are written down in a book (John 20:31; 1Jo 5:13; Rom 15:4), or spoken through the mouth of a man (ex: 2Pe 3:16; Hab 1:1; Num 23:16), the weight of His authority remains (1Jo 4:6), His presence still accompanying His reliable word.

O, that we would heed Peter’s urgent message. “Pay attention” to God’s word “as you would to a light shining in a murky place.” We indeed dwell in a dark world, and we have no hope of walking unobstructed or even in the right direction without this guiding light. “Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light” (Mic 7:8). May we cling to His word today and make it “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psa 119:105).

God meets with His people through His Word. Have you paid attention to Him today, allowing His holy light to rise in your heart and illuminate your day?