Pay Attention
Text: 2 Peter 1:12-21
Theme: Peter was determined to help his readers listen and learn from him and the prophets.
Key verses: “Therefore, I will always remind you about these things…And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live. For the Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life, so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these after I am gone. For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes…” (v. 12-16). “Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place…Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God” (v. 19-21).
What God said to me: Focus, Dwayne. Pay attention to my words. You are so easily distracted with your people watching and returning messages and other much less important things. Peter “always” reminded them about growing and working hard to prove their calling in the Kingdom. He wanted them to listen and learn well from the awesome wisdom and warnings of the prophets in the Old Testament. Those were men who had walked with me and heard directly from me to share with my people and the nations. Those words are still for you today. I have poured myself out and given you all the instructions you need to live for and please me with your life and work. Pay attention. Listen and learn. Focus every thought and bring it into captivity to the obedience of Christ. One of Satan’s most effective strategies is to get my people distracted and busy and self-confident so they don’t stop to really listen and meditate and soak on my Word and in my Spirit. Today is your day to listen and follow and obey my every command.
What I said to God: Thank You my Father for speaking to me. I admit I struggle a lot with distractions, allowing my lizard brain to suddenly pull my eyes and thoughts away from godly things and toward selfish, sinful things. Those quick movements of my eyes, that dark thoughts I think no one knows about–You see and hear them all. Nothing is hidden from Your gaze. I am both humbled by Your attention on me and horrified by it at the same time. I love You, but I fear You too. Unfortunately, I don’t think I fear You enough. Help me learn from the prophets of old like Isaiah, who saw You high and lifted up in Your rightful place as both God and King.