Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.

---

Read

2 Peter 3:1-7 (NRSV)

This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken through your apostles. First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!” They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water, through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless.

---

Reflect

I have a very dear friend who is a dedicated atheist. He grew up in a church, in a denomination much different from Cumberland Presbyterian. He has family members who are clergy, too. I knew him when I was in college, and he was a sweet, caring soul who liked to talk about spiritual things with a broad, open mind. Somehow, though, in the last decade or so, something happened. He became jaded with the world and declared that he was a non-believer. I was shocked.

One of the points he likes to make is that he needs proof that God exists. He needs proof of creation. He needs proof of a virgin birth. Second Peter addresses people like my friend. Peter’s letter says that there will be scoffers in the end. People will not believe that Christ rose from the dead. They won’t believe anything a follower of Christ says or believes. The difference in belief systems is pretty glaring, but there is one huge difference: Followers of Christ do not need to see physical proof of anything. We live in faith that Jesus is the Messiah. We believe in the Bible as the guide for our lives. We believe because we know the truth. We don’t have to have proof because we know how God works in the lives of God’s believers. I boldly told my friend one day that I needed proof that God doesn’t exist. He didn’t really have anything to say other than the simple “you can’t see, touch, smell, etc.” argument. I continue to pray for my friend and would love if you could pray for him, too.

---

Pray

Dear God in heaven, thank you for loving us and for showing us every day that you are the one true God. We also pray for the scoffers and non-believers, asking that their eyes, ears, and hearts will be open to your word. In our Savior’s holy name. Amen.

Go with God.