THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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In an old out-of-print book called English Hymns, there was a story printed about Dr. Samuel West. For some reason the choir had become rebellious and wouldn't bring the music for Sunday services.
Dr. West stood Sunday morning and told the congregation they would begin with a song, "Come, We Who Love the Lord."
Then he said, "Let's start with the second verse, which says, 'Let Those Refuse to Sing Who Never Knew Our God.'"
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2 Peter 1:1-4
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
KJV
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Here is a prayer that can surely and confidently be prayed: "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord."
The more we learn of our Lord and Savior, the more grace and peace are multiplied to our souls.
When we learn of Him, we learn that He, by His "divine power," has given us all that we are. Though we were nothing, He made us something. Then, when we were sinners bound for hell, He offered us eternal life through His own Being.
He died at Calvary, shedding the blood which gave us atonement for our sins, and propitiated God's anger toward us.
When we received His offer, by surrender to His Lordship, He wrote our names in "the book of life" and gave us His Holy Spirit to "seal" us unto the "day of redemption."
Being now "children of God," we have "exceeding great and precious promises." It is by meditation upon these promises that we have power to "be partakers of the divine nature."
It is by meditation upon these promises that we are able to exercise God's Holy Spirit power in us to overcome temptations and endure trials.
God Himself is the "Promiser." God has not changed; neither have His promises changed. He has never failed in pouring out grace and peace, and both are multiplied to us exceedingly each day.
So let us not be rebellious children.
Let us meditate upon His goodness!
Love ya,
Bruce