Verse of the Day Devotion.  2 Peter 1:15

“And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind.” – 2 Peter 1:15 

Our focus verse shows us the concern Peter had for those whom he had taught the truth. Looking back a couple of verses, we see he did all he could to help them remember. “Therefore, I shall always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. And I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind.” 2 Peter 1:12-15. He wanted his followers to stay true to God’s Word, and so he ‘stirs them up’. This phrase has the idea of stirring up this knowledge in their minds. You do not want to stir up dirty water, but you may stir that which is pure and sweet as much as ever you like. And a good fire sometimes becomes a better one by a little stirring up. He knows his death is eminent and the Lord had told Peter how he was to die, which would be by crucifixion. “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself, and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go. Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, Follow Me!” John 21:18-19.  Therefore, he wanted his followers to remain diligent in thinking about what he taught them, so as not to forget.

He then tells them that what he presented to them was absolute truth. “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16. In his teaching he had nothing to retract;  Peter held fast to what he had previously preached because he knew that it was the very truth of God. He was with Jesus along with James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration when he heard a voice from heaven. “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” Matthew 17:5.

Then Peter tells them that they have a prophetic word from God. “And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19. Peter and the other disciples saw the great works of Christ, and this was the first testimony. The second is the prophecies of the Old Testament. The testimony of the prophets is declared to be more sure than that of the Apostles concerning the voice of the Father in heaven and the transfiguration of Christ; for the Jews held high the prophecies of their fathers.

And the reason that prophecies were important is seen in the last two verses. “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 2 Peter 1:20-21. We can trust the prophets because their words were not derived from men, but from God spoken to men.

It is absolutely essential that we do the same for the people we minister to and with just as Peter did for those he ministered to. We need to encourage all our brothers and sisters in Christ to be diligent regarding their faith in Christ, encouraging themselves to always remind them themselves of what they know. Help them to stir up the truth so that they will always be ready for anything that may come to distract them from the truth. This is so important, for the enemy wants to take us in another direction, therefore it is necessary to help them stay focused in the truth. And also be willing for others to stir us up, to encourage us to remind ourselves what the truth actually is. This is one way we can be there for each other, supporting one another in the faith. We all have times of trials. So let us be there for each other and help one another be firm in our Christian walk. We all need it at times. Let’s be there when anyone needs us.  

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.