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2 Peter 3:1-18.
Reading This chapter today, is revved up encouragement about the whole quandary of - When, is this much preached about
Christ's return going to happen?
The jokers are really having a good laugh at the time drag on that claim, as indicated in verse 3 & 4!
But in verse 5, Peter states, that their is a need to laugh on the other side of the face, because there are 2 great holes of "ignorance" that all skeptics fall into!
FIRST IGNORANCE
"For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water":
The miraculous existence of the earth and balance of it's standing out of the water and also in the water, accomplished by the word of God, is ignored by those of brain storm reason, who only can speculate.
It takes greater faith to believe in evolution with it's "missing link", than to believe the faith link of an 'inteligent' creator, who formed and holds all together, by billions of law principles of life.
The Lord when straightening out Job (Job 38:1-11), points to the fact, and asks the question: where were you, when the foundations of the earth were laid, and it All stands fast, even when the raging waves come against it?
How come the restless waters all around and underneath, don't burst their bounds and swallow up all existence?
God winds up the lesson for Job with the following words ....
...  "And (God has) said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed"? [Job 38:11].
Even a tsunami can only go so far, unless God releases the "stay" order, as in the case of Noah's flood, which was God's judgment upon a wicked world.
The following 2nd ignorance is a Doozie!
This disasterous mockery 'ignorance' of the smarties is further explained at verse 8.
"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" [2 Peter 3:8].
God doesn't live according to our 24hr clock and 70 year time span!
Calculating according to God's Eternity clock; Given that we are now in the year AD 2023 ...
Jesus ascended into Heaven after his death, burial and resurrection only 2 days ago!!
Oh, the big mistake of small human minds!
We all have small human minds, but we also have a BIG loving God, who has taken up all this world of mess, and paid for it all upon the cross.
Jesus endured such "for the joy that was set before him, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" [Hebrews 12:2]
Jesus is now waiting for you to come to him in repentance and faith, believing on him as your saviour to receive forgiveness and the gift of eternal life if you haven't come to him already.
The last words that Peter wrote are of immense importance and are found in verse 18.
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen" [2 Peter 3:18].
Peter went through some soul shaking experiences that could have drowned him in despair.
Twice, Jesus spoke plainly to him of his battle with failure and the sifting of Satan, even though the Lord commended him on his depth of spiritual understanding.
Jesus knew his heart and enthusiasm, and also his battle with self and sin.
The Lord knows us all better than we know ourselves. Peter argued with Jesus when he was warned, he would deny him.
"Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice" [John 13:38].
Peter, now in the presence of the other disciples, is in utter devastation at his Lord's unequivocal prediction of complete failure. Jesus knowing the pain in Peter's heart, quickly reassures him of the most wonderful Grace that will come to him, through the experience of such grief and regret, with the words ....
...... "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me" [John 14:1].
In other words, you may fail me Peter, but don't let that drown your troubled heart, I will never fail you, but strengthen you! The Father sent me to be your unfailing friend.
"A friend loveth at all times ....." [Proverbs 17:17].
Now, to each one of us, with all our varied failures; the great encouragement that Peter has left us is, to grow in that same grace that he found, in his wonderful Lord.
Jesus understood him and loved him beyond measure - as he Loves You!
 God BLESS.
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2 Peter 3:1-18.