Day 18

The Day of the Lord

from the 1 & 2 Peter reading plan


2 Peter 3:1-13, Genesis 1:6-10, Genesis 7:17-24, Revelation 21:1-8

BY Kaitie Stoddard

You know when you make a big deal out of something pretty insignificant? Maybe your day didn’t start on the right foot, and you just hit a tipping point. Now you’ve completely lost perspective on the matter at hand and can’t seem to right your focus. Does this ever happen to you?

It’s easy to get caught up in the struggles of the daily grind. While we believe the very breath in our lungs is a gift from God, we lose our grasp on the miracle of life when the kids are fighting, a stressful project is due, or a relationship goes awry. It’s natural to focus on the things in our lives that need attention, but how can we do that without losing sight of the bigger picture?

In Peter’s second letter, he reminds believers not to lose sight of the greater story. For Peter, one of the most encouraging things to remember in times of trials was the coming Day of the Lord. So often, we focus on the death and resurrection of Christ but forget His promise to return. When we do, we lose sight of where our lives are headed.

Peter even said that there will be false teachers who question God’s timing and try to convince believers that Christ isn’t coming back. But our hope rests in the trustworthy promises of the Lord. And because Christ said He’ll return like “a thief in the night,” we need to be prepared for His arrival at any moment (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

What does it look like to be prepared? It’s not about storing up good deeds, because nothing we ever do will be perfect enough to deserve heaven. All we need to do is place our trust in Jesus, our Savior. He stands in the gap and covers all our sin. “Based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). These promises rest not on our merit, but on His.

In knowing that Christ will come back at any moment, the stressors of our lives seem less significant. In the new heavens and new earth, a bad grade on a test or an embarrassing moment won’t mean a thing. In fact, “Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). We will be with the one who created us, the one who fulfills our every need. In the midst of the messy and mundane, let’s refocus our eyes upward as we wait expectantly for the coming of the Lord.

 

Post Comments (23)

23 thoughts on "The Day of the Lord"

  1. Churchmouse says:

    I wait for the Day of the Lord, when He splits the eastern sky and reveals Himself in all His glory. Every knee will bow. But until then… We are not to rest on His laurels. True, our works do not save. Yet we are His disciples, commanded to go and tell until He comes. There is indeed work yet to be done in His name for His glory so that many more may know HE IS COMING AGAIN.

  2. Sue says:

    Tina, thank you for giving us a glimpse of what eternity looks like, for showing us that “every day is a Day of the Lord.”

    God is making all things new and he continues to mold us into his image – starting now. Thanks be to God!

    May my life also be an example to others, showing them glimpses of the new life God is preparing for us, not only in the future, but also today.

  3. Kelly Chataine says:

    Praying for all believers! In this journey, we are surrounded by God (thanks Angie) and we will see Jesus face to face. We are challenged or encouraged to find the face of Jesus in those we interact with today. The young cashier, our husbands that depend upon us, the stranger that cuts us off in traffic, young children, etc.

    There is a joy in the journey! There’s a Light we can love on the way.
    There is a wonder and wildness to life and freedom for those who obey! (Michael Card)

  4. Angie says:

    Dear friends,
    Let me stir up sincere understanding
    Let me remind you
    recall the words
    Above all, be aware
    Don’t overlook

    It’s not a delay – it is My Patience
    The day of the Lord is coming
    Wait.
    Righteousness will dwell solely

    I spoke all into being
    I wiped out every living thing,
    leaving only Noah & his family
    And the water surged.

    I will give a new heaven and a new earth,
    You will be my people
    I, God, will be your God,
    I will live with you!
    I am making everything new.

    These words are faithful and true.
    IT IS DONE!
    I AM the Alpha and Omega,
    the beginning and end.
    I give freely from the spring of the water of life
    Conquer
    I will be your God
    and you will be my child.

    Do you hear the crescendo? Take it slow. Let your heart and mind hold it. Drink it in like cool water to our parched soul. The God who WAS, IS, and will always BE, and we are His. Lift your hands! Offer praise!
    (There is no one like our God)
    (Amen)
    (Hallelujah)
    (King)
    (Creator)
    (Savior)
    (Lord)
    …May. We. Live. to Praise.

  5. Angie says:

    Thank you for sharing Tina. I think of the song by Michael W. Smith, “Surrounded.” It starts with the verse in scripture that says, “In the spirit of heaviness, put on the garment of praise.” This is how we fight our battles. It may look I’m surrounded but, I’m surrounded by You. I’ve been both singing and praying that, and several other songs of worship like I’m breathing lately, and I am so very thankful. Our God, the I AM. Rest is found in Him. Blessing upon you dear sister.

  6. Kristen says:

    I was watching a show called Wretched on Cornerstone Television. He was showing clips of a pastor’s sermon. He was reminding the people that Jesus is the only way. He was quoting Charles Spurgon (not sure if it’s spelled correctly) and said that every sermon should be about Jesus. How true! He is everything. I was thinking how we are all wretched. I’ve done the comparison game and thought that I’m not that bad. However, that’s a lie. God is Holy, and none of us our righteous. Jesus is our righteousness! Vety thankful for Jesus and thankful God’s mercies are new every morning!

    1. Lauren Martin says:

      Yes!

  7. Shawn Parks says:

    Ah, the promise of seeing Jesus face to face and living with him in eternity! He is coming again. What a sweet and reassuring promise! With that thought in my mind and that prayer on my lips, I am ready for my day to begin!

  8. Tina says:

    This is so apt for me and the goings on in the last week!

    In the last seven days I have said farewell to my beloved mum. Felt a tad lost. Rushed my son to hospital with suspected appendicitis. Only for him to be sent home.. Worried about my grandson who didn’t come home. Rushed my son again to the hospital again because he wasn’t getting better.. he was admitted and still in… all the while trying to do whst I have to do for others in terms of work…!

    But God..

    I say this often, and i will be keep saying this truth.

    But God.. oh But God…

    Monday morning felt like my world was crushing in, seriously. I felt beaten i just could take anymore and began to think and talk in the negative..
    But God..
    He reminded me that I was giving the enemy glory when I spoken aloud openly in words like that.
    So I shifted my thinking, i began not only to pray but to worship too. I gathered ‘my people’ ‘my army’ and we prayed. We worshipped We gave thanks.

    There is absolutely a bigger picture for our future, but honestly I believe He is here. In our here and now. In our moments, giving us a taste of promises and things to come..
    Every day is a Day of the Lord.

    Monday morning looked bleak.. Monday afternoon my grandson was home and my son had been made comfortable and was getting the care he needed to get better…
    All PRAISE to Him who has promised !

    Holding fast on to His promise. Standing on His word. Trusting in Him whose Word is truth and a salve to my soul. My heart. My life.

    Thank you God. Thank you for everything..
    Amen.

    Happy Thursday Sisters, love wrapped hugs and prayers for you… xx

    1. Tricia Cavanaugh says:

      Thank you for sharing your heart Tina. The Lord touches many of us through your words. Peace to you from cold Pennsylvania.

    2. Mari V says:

      Hugs Tina

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