January 2 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

2 Peter 3:1–7

Devotional

There were scoffers in the congregation to whom Peter addressed this letter. Their scoffing consisted of mocking the preaching of Christ’s return, just as happened in the days of Noah. “Everything stays the same,” they said. “The one day goes, the next day comes, but the day of His coming never arrives. Our fathers believed in the day of His coming, and now they are buried. And why should we then wait for that day? Nothing happens anyway. Let us rather eat, drink, and be merry.” And so scoffers fool themselves and love the world with all its lusts of the flesh as if nothing bad can happen.

Scoffers are present within the congregation rather than entering from the world. A real scoffer can only be found in the church under the preaching of the Word of God. In the world, scoffing words do not even have to be spoken. The scoffers simply ignore God’s second coming and cling to this world. They act as if the Lord is not returning, yet they do know that it is appointed unto men once to die and appear before God’s judgment seat.

The old year has passed and a new year has just started for us. On New Year’s Eve we are often sentimental. In addition, our conscience tells us that we did not accomplish our set goals. In fact, hardly has a new year arrived and we live as if there will be no end to it. We easily go back to our daily tasks and the call to repentance is ignored.

Our days are very similar to the time of Peter. The scoffers are very close. They live in our own heart. We often live here on this earth as if there was no eternity. We live as if there is no God. We can be deaf and arguably we do not even desire to hear. Furthermore, we are blind and yet we do not want to see. In reality we behave in like manner to those of Peter’s day in spite of the fact that we might die any day.

How many scoffers are in the congregation today? The years come and go, yet scoffers remain unchanged. They have heard that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, but they do not really believe it. If they did, they would portray a different attitude and be less worldly. They would be as pilgrims journeying to eternity.

It is due to the longsuffering of God that He did not yet return on the clouds. Because of His love He wants scoffers to turn to Him in this remaining time. The Lord postpones that day and still calls out: “Look unto me, and be ye saved.” It is the Lord’s patience with men that cries out, “Let the fig tree alone this year also.”

To the unconverted, the Lord beseeches you to fall down on your knees and ask forgiveness before that day comes. Child of God, do not forget that we are strangers here on the earth.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.