You will find more of my music on youtube. Simply type in my name, judy mceachran, or go to the links below. There’s more information about each song on the Music page here in the blog, or on the youtube song descriptions. May these worship tunes bring peace and joy in your times of worship. More songs are soon on the way!
Human nature is often defiant. It’s easier to let my “me-first” attitudes rule autonomy than submit to another of differing views. Peter writes of a better way, submission. Submission calls us to confront the “me-first” mentality and follow more closely the servant-heart of Jesus. He submitted to the Father’s will. He submitted to Pilate, a human authority. He submitted to suffering and death on the cross. Jesus submitted, not out of inferiority, but out of love for the Father and love for people. Peter calls believers to a submission that resembles Jesus.
Submission isn’t blind or comprehensive. It carries the condition of honoring God. Jesus yielded to Pilate, but he chased the moneychangers out of the temple, both acts honoring God. Peter was threatened, beaten, and arrested for preaching Jesus. He submitted to authorities but didn’t quit preaching Jesus (Acts 4:18-19). Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in fighting to honor God lost his life to an anti-God Nazi Regime. When honoring the State or honoring God are in conflict, obedience to God takes priority. As much as possible, we are to live in peace with all people (Romans 12:18).
Reflect Jesus to the World
Submission in relationships is to point others to our Savior.
Peter writes, “Dear friends, you are like visitors and strangers in this world. So I beg you to keep your lives free from the evil things you want to do, those desires that fight against your true selves. People who don’t believe are living all around you. They may say that you are doing wrong. So live such good lives that they will see the good you do, and they will give glory to God on the Day he comes” (1 Peter 2:11-12).
Fear God, honor the King
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men; whether to the King, as the supreme authority, or to governors. Fear God, and honor the King. 1 Peter 2:13, 14,17b
In Peter’s day, honoring the King was no easy task. The King persecuted Christians, executed John’s brother, James, and arrested Peter (Acts 12:1-3). How did Peter show respect to such tyrants?
Nero (AD 37-68), the ruling emperor of the Roman Empire, murdered his mother and first wife. He arrested Christians, fed them to wild dogs, nailed them to crosses, burned them as torches for evening lights. Nero’s maniacal leadership in 64 AD put Peter to death by crucifixion.
Peter saw the way Jesus submitted to Pilate. He heard Jesus say, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17). Peter believed Jesus had all authority in heaven and earth, and yet he submitted to the Father’s plan and to suffering.
The Apostle Paul shared Peter’s message, “everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. God has appointed the authorities that exist. Consequently, the one who resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1).
The Old Testament gives the same directive. “He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them (Daniel 2:21). Daniel, a Prophet, was a man of excellence. From a young man in exile to old age, his submission to the Kings he served honored God and impacted nations (Daniel 5:12, 14; 6:3; 9:23).
Daniel chapter 6 gives an example of his submission to God and the King. Jealous peers tricked the King into issuing an irrevocable decree; anyone who prays to any god or human for the next thirty days, except to the King, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Daniel heard the decree, yet continued to pray publicly three times a day.
Daniel was thrown to the lions. After a sleepless night, the King came to see if God rescued him. Daniel is not harsh to the King.
“May the King live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty” (Daniel 6:21-23).
Daniel’s life and the miracle of surviving the lion’s den so moved the King, he issued another decree encouraging all to believe in the God of Daniel. Daniel could have said harsh, angry words to the King, but he chose to honor God, and God honored him for it.
JESUS submitted to Pilate. Pontius Pilate had the authority to put Jesus to death by crucifixion. Jesus said, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above (John 19:11).
Submission isn’t about who’s stronger or has more control. Submission is the maturity of faith that yields to do the Father’s will.
Holiness calls us to honor “those in authority” over us. Respect them (1 Peter 2:17). Even if we can’t revere their political persuasion, we can revere the office. When we revere God, we can honor ruling authorities and pray for them.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
Holiness calls us to submit to ruling authorities with respect and prayer. No more name-calling, no hatred.
To Employers/Masters
In Peter’s time, “slaves,” were educated as teachers, doctors, musicians, or stewards over large estates. In the Roman Empire, slaves were plenteous, about 60,000,000. Many slaves were loved, like family. Others were cruelly treated. Peter says out of your love for God, submit to the master, whether good or evil (1 Peter 2:18).
Follow the example of Jesus. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23).
An unfair employer, a difficult boss, a short-tempered trainer, or a spouse who is a taskmaster makes life difficult. When slandered or verbally abused, it’s natural to want to respond the same way. But that is not the example of Jesus. When they jeered, rejected, abused Him, what did Jesus do? He said, “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). And He died for them, to save many lives.
Joseph (Increaser), a teenager, was sold by his jealous brothers into slavery, en employee of Potiphar, and imprisoned by a lie from his employer’s wife. Seventeen years Joseph was under a taskmaster, but rather than hate his boss, or God, he chose the better way. He trusted God with his life. In God’s timetable, the heathen ruler Pharoah recognized Joseph was filled with the spirit of God. Joseph became the second-highest-ranking official in Egypt. His submission to God and his employer/master saved the nation of Egypt and his family’s nation, Israel.
With the restoration with his brothers who sold him to slavery, he said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).
Joseph’s submission in difficult years proved God’s faithfulness and favor to him for the ultimate purpose of “saving many lives.”
Submission to governing authorities, a boss, and a spouse is the way of holiness that shows Jesus to the world and “saving of many lives.”
To Your Spouse
God calls spouses to submit to one another with humility (1 Peter 5:5).
As Jesus submitted to the Father, husbands and wives are to submit to each other. Submission, built by love, can bolster rather than crumble a marriage.
Submission Wins An Unbelieving Husband.
Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:1-6).
Mutual Submission in Marriage
Submission from a wife is not only to an unbelieving husband. It is the glue that holds a marriage of believers together. On Facebook, a wife shared how a habit of her husband used to irritate her; he didn’t push the chair back to the table after eating. Nothing big, but we understand how little things can be annoying. After being married for several years, it no longer irritated her, and she looked forward to doing it for him. Love covers a multitude of sins and gives rich rewards!
Husbands are called to follow the example of Jesus. Lay down your life for her. Lead lovingly. Show your love for God by being attentive to her needs. Submission from a wife to her husband is not withheld when she is loved.
God gives a promise of answered prayer to the man who follows the example of Jesus.
Husbands, you, in turn, must treat your wives with tenderness, viewing them as feminine partners who deserve to be honored, for they are co-heirs with you of the “divine grace of life so that nothing will hinder your prayers (1 Peter 3:7 TPT).
Submission is to resemble Jesus and His Bride, the Church.
Marriage is to be the picture of Jesus and His sacrifice for the Church, the Bride of Christ each spouse is to emulate. Paul reiterates the message of Peter regarding submission (Ephesians 5 21-33).
Following the example of Jesus will reward us with holiness and a strong marriage.
Submission is a challenge.
It’s counterintuitive to human nature. The Lord says to submit, “for the Lord’s sake,” to governing authorities, pastors, leaders, employers/masters, and spouses.
Submission calls us to confront the “me-first” mentality and follow more closely the servant-heart of Jesus. Loving others and putting them first requires the grace of God and the help of the Holy Spirit. But when we do, we reflect Jesus
Watch for the next post, Part 6, THE HOLINESS OF SUFFERING
Jesus is our example of holy living. Peter’s insight into Jesus’ suffering can help us face difficult situations.
Merely by speaking God brought the world into existence. God spoke. Creation happened. God created words. According to Oxford Living Dictionaries, there are probably three-quarters of a million words in our English language. The website, Ethnologue, Languages of the World, details 7,111 known living languages. Words have power and coupled with God’s authority, that Word changes us as we live in the Word. One of the best ways to know God, dwell in God’s presence, and love Him is to enjoy the Word daily.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was WITH God,
and the Word WAS God. John 1:1
IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD
Word (logos) as in “the Word of God” is a divine reason and creative order identified as Jesus in John 1. Jesus gives us God’s Word, and he IS the Word.
GOD SPOKE
God spoke the world into existence. God speaks….and it happens. And God said, Let there be light, and there was light (Genesis 1:3). Ten times in the first chapter And God said, brought an immediate, actual creation. And it was done! He spoke, and it came to be (Psalm 33:9).
GOD WROTE
God wrote to Moses and the Israelites with His own finger (Deuteronomy 9:10), These commands were written and stored in the Ark of the Covenant, a portable tabernacle, complete with a cloud of God’s very presence, and a fire at night.
GOD DWELLS
God’s words of commands and promise were placed in the Ark, which when the Israelites were not traveling, was located at the center of the camp, a symbol of where God wants to be with his people – in the center of their lives. The Ark with God’s Words was the place of God’s presence among the people.
AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD
THE WORD IS JESUS
The Word is Jesus and was with God at creation. In Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God (the Trinity – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) created the heavens and the earth. Colossians tells us that Jesus was the image of the invisible God who created all things. For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth (Colossians 1:16 ESV).
AND THE WORD WAS GOD
Jesus, the Word of God, is the very image of God. As God wanted to be the center of the His people with the Ark of the Covenant and later the temple, Jesus wants to be at the very center of our lives. Jesus only spoke what God told him to say (John 12:49-50).
John 1:14 says, The Word (Jesus) became flesh so he could dwell among us. He laid aside some of His glory to come and live among us. Jesus, the Savior who paid for our sins by his perfect and sinless life, nailed them to the cross. With his resurrection, we have eternal life.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)
When Jesus comes to set up his kingdom, his name is the Word of God (Revelation 19:13).
God spoke life into existence, and God gave written words so we could know God and live in His presence. As we fill our hearts and minds with God’s words, God will dwell with us. (Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 10:16). And we will know an abundant life!
If you love me, keep my commands. John 14:15
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night,
so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will
be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
My husband often says it is easy to believe God loves us. The hard part is, do we love God? One of the best ways to show our love for God is to devour His Word. Read it like a love letter from the man you’re going to marry. Keep reading it over and over. As the word fills our mind and hearts, faith grows. Our relationship with God grows. Our nature and character become transformed into being more like Jesus.
Tie them around your finger. Write them on your heart. Proverbs 7:3 ESV
I’m going to keep reading through, again and again, meditating, learning, and growing. I hope you will too! I’d enjoy hearing some of the insights you are gleaning along the way! Write in the comments or send me an email on the contact page.
HAVE YOU READ THE WORD TODAY?
Jesus is the Word! The Word of God is eternal, like Jesus, who was in the beginning, was WITH God, and WAS God. The Bible we hold in our hands is filled with the spoken and written words from God.
GOD SPEAKS and creates life in us through his word.
GOD WROTE our Bible through divine revelation For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).
GOD DWELLS with us as we identify and walk with God at the center of our lives. As God dwelt with the Israelites with the Ark of the Covenant (his commands and promises), so God dwells in the word, our Bible, in the living and active words.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any
double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul
and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts
and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12)
Job said I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread (Job 32:12).
Jesus said, we can’t live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).
When we fill hearts and mind with the Word, God will be our God, and we will be his people. (Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 10:16).
I’M PRAYING FOR YOU!
Dear Lord, fill us with your Word and your presence as we read today. Be the center, the priority of our lives today! Strengthen our hearts and minds with truth and love. Thank you for giving us Your eternal, life-changing words! We love you for it! Amen!
The LORD decrees His loving devotion by day, and at night His song is with me as a prayer to the God of my life (Psalm 42:8 NIV).
Sometimes a new song doesn’t do it! But often, a familiar song will. Singing a song multiple times causes it to rise in my spirit; the God-breathed part of me, like an anchor, dropped in the ocean’s depths of the real me.
As a child of God, I am the temple of the Holy Spirit “who lives in me” (1 Corinthians 6:19). What I put into my heart and mind, whether a spiritual song or a scripture, may revive in the night seasons of life. And what was once buried in my spirit, at the moment needed, with the attending, gentle work of the Holy Spirit, surfaces with a melodious breath of life — like a song.
Our son, Tom, finished his senior year of high school mid-year, and his friend Dominique, an exchange student from Switzerland, invited him to his home. On a trip of a lifetime, Tom took his snowboard and was off. We didn’t know about all the adventures these young men would face.
On a Sunday after church, a few days before Tom was to fly home, we received a call from Dominique’s mom that shook our insides. Tom and Dominique were snowboarding in the mountains, and Tom had fallen and was flown by a medical helicopter to a Swiss hospital. Stunned, we immediately cried out to the Lord.
The high cost of flight tickets, because of short notice, and with Tom scheduled to fly home in four days, made us uncertain of what to do.
Time for bed came, but sleep was fleeting, and I found myself in the living room weeping before the Lord. I was concerned about Tom being alone in a foreign country, his severe injuries, and wondering if he could fly home as scheduled. And my heart longed to be with him.
In those heartache moments, an old song from years past came flooding into my thoughts, and I knew God was speaking: “I believe the answer’s on the way. I believe the Lord has heard me pray. Cast not away your confidence, says the Lord of Hosts. Now, by faith in Him alone, I stand, firmly held by His Almighty hand. Fully trusting in His promise, praise the Lord.”
Like a miracle, the Holy Spirit told me to stand firm and not cast my confidence away but trust God. In those divine moments, God’s comfort and peace brought the assurance I needed: Tom would get home safely. I went back to bed and was able to sleep.
The sweetness of the Holy Spirit in those precious moments assures you and me that He is with us: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8: 16). That part of me that never dies is connected to the Holy Spirit and He is the Helper, Comforter, Guide, and Truth-teller. He intercedes for us in our times of need (Romans 8:26) and brings things to our remembrance: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).
A constant stream of praise music and scriptures and experiencing God’s presence, like treasures, are buried deep into our spirit. In those night seasons of life, the Holy Spirit, living within, brings to remembrance exactly what is needed to face and get through the challenging and fearful days.
You may wonder what happened to Tom.
We had a call from the Swiss hospital. A nurse said, “hold a minute,” and then Tom was on the phone. He was hard to understand because of the neck brace that didn’t give his mouth much room for talking. Initially, they thought he had broken his neck, but thankfully, he hadn’t.
We were thrilled and relieved when Tom’s flight arrived home, complete with a neck brace, his luggage, and a large snowboard. Tom was on heavy medication and sleeping soundly on the flight. Thankfully, a little girl angel woke him, or he would have kept flying to who knows where.
In that night season, God spoke through an old song I hadn’t sung for years: “I Believe the Answer’s On the Way.” But the Holy Spirit, “who brings all things to remembrance,” gave me the precious gift of knowing God was working, “Now, by faith in Him alone, I stand, firmly held by His Almighty hand. Fully trusting in His promise, praise the Lord.”
Dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit
While waiting for Tom to come home, I kept rehearsing that song either out loud or in my mind. Each time it reminded me of God’s promise: I could trust Him! Although we were in South Dakota and Tom was in Switzerland, almost 5000 miles apart, it posed no problem for our everywhere-present God.
The more we plant in the good soil of our spirit the spiritual songs, Bible verses, and hymns of praise, we can expect the Holy Spirit to connect with us in our times of need and speak peace. We are admonished in Ephesians 6:19: “speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.”
In a night season, Paul and Silas, in prison for preaching the gospel, began singing hymns to God at midnight. A violent earthquake shook the place, opened the prison doors, and everyone’s chains fell off. The jailer called for the lights, rushed in, and fell trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas, asking, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:25-29). A night season was transformed by the hymns of praise that rose from their spirit.
I’m so thankful we are connected with the Holy Spirit who “lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:17), especially when we need a song in the night season.
By the way, if you were moved by this story of God’s faithfulness, I invite you to listen to my YouTube channel Weekend Worship video entitled, “Jesus, You’re My Song .” https://youtu.be/3J1SmcuZqmg
Listening to it today reminded me that Jesus is “the sunshine on a rainy day”—during the hard days of life. He’s “the light that lights the darkest way”—when we are confused and feeling lost. Jesus is “my strength when mine has slipped away,” feeling weary of the battle, and “Jesus is my song!” So, “I’ll praise Him all day long because He’s the answer to my life, and He’s my song.”
In Part 1 of the previous post, Peter’s human understanding of God’s plan was limited. He failed, but God in his grace and mercy continued to reach out to Peter. God’s persistent love won him. Peter grew in knowledge and experience with God to become a powerhouse of faith. If you haven’t read Part 1 [WHEN WE DON’T UNDERSTAND GOD’S WAYS, Human thinking and the example of Peter], I suggest you go back and start there.
JESUS EXPLAINS THE SCRIPTURES
On the day of resurrection, Jesus walks with two confused disciples on the way to Emmaus. Jesus, unknown to the disciples at first, walks with them and talks with them and explains the Scriptures so they will understand Jesus is really alive!
Luke 24:25-27 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
With burning hearts and energized confidence in the risen Lord, Cleopas and the other disciple quickly returned to Jerusalem, about seven miles. They excitedly told the disciples of their encounter with Jesus when he suddenly appears in their midst. Here again, Jesus helps his perplexed disciples understand.
JESUS COMES WITH PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING
Photo from Eastern Lightning
Luke 24:36-49 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
Jesus had told them several times before he died that this would happen. Their human understanding couldn’t comprehend it. That’s why Jesus stepped in – to make things clear, understood, and to bring peace.
The disciples didn’t understand Jesus washing their feet at the Last Supper.
Jesus said to his disciples, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand” (John 13:7).
At that same meal together Jesus tells them of his betrayer Judas, giving his true followers foreknowledge that would help them understand the truth of Jesus.
Jesus said, “I am telling you now before it happens so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.” (John 13:19).
JESUS WAS HELPING HIS DISCIPLES UNDERSTAND AND NOT BE AFRAID.
Notice the great care of Jesus to his disciples. In their confusion, amazement, doubt and fear Jesus comes to give them peace, joy, and understanding. Before returning to heaven Jesus gently led them to know the truth and give them assurance. Isn’t that just like Jesus! The events they walked through with Jesus – the miracles, healings, demons cast out, the cross and resurrection – now began to make sense as Jesus opened their minds to understand (and shared those God secrets).
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.’
THE PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT AS HELPER
Jesus would not leave them alone. He promised the Holy Spirit would be in them and empower their lives. They were to wait for what the Father would send – the promised gift of the Holy Spirit.
49″ I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Only after Jesus showed himself to his disciples and opened their minds to understand God’s plan through the scriptures did Jesus go back to heaven. Now the disciples were confident in understanding. At the ascension of Jesus, with great confidence and joy, the disciples understood!
52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
These disciples had a unique and wonderful experience with Jesus. They walked with him, talked with him, saw the miracles, and observed his death and resurrection! We don’t have that opportunity physically, but we do have the words in the pages of Scripture – God’s Holy Words to us. We have the Holy Spirit within, equipping and teaching us. Through the Scriptures, we learn to understand more of God, his character, his nature, his miracles, his love for us. As Peter said, we can add to our faith the knowledge of God and gain understanding.
“SLOW TO BELIEVE” DESCRIBES OUR HUMAN THINKING
That’s the words Jesus used with Cleopas on the road to Emmaus – “how slow you are to believe all the prophets have spoken.” That’s our human way of thinking. But then he opens their understanding from the Scriptures! (Jesus explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself Luke 24:25, 27).
PETER’S GROWTH AND EXPERIENCE
Peter returned to his fishing business after denying Jesus. After the resurrection, Jesus calls him to have breakfast and reinstates and commissions him into Kingdom work. Three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves him and three times Peter declares he does. Forgiven and set free to go to Kingdom work again, Peter forsakes all and follows.
At Pentecost, as Peter and 120 other disciples were filled with the new power of the Holy Spirit. Peter preaches to the crowds and 3000 people repent and turn to God. The power of the Holy Spirit got ahold of Peter’s heart and mind. Although he failed to understand the plan of God through Jesus, he was gaining understanding. He experienced the Father’s tender care and the Holy Spirit’s filling with power.
Peter was imprisoned by King Herod for preaching the gospel but delivered by an angel.
Peter, through the power of the Holy Spirit, healed the lame man (Acts 3:7).
Peter walks on water stretching his growing faith in Jesus (Matthew 14:22-33)
The sick and afflicted with unclean spirits were healed (Acts 5:15-16)
He uncovered the deception of Ananias and his wife. They fell down and breathed their last (Acts 5:5, 10).
Peter told Aeneas to get up and make your bed because Jesus Christ heals you (Acts 9:34).
Peter calls Tabitha from the dead (Acts 9:40).
A GOD SECRET FOR PETER Peter has a vision from God to take the gospel to the house of Cornelius, a God-seeker. Peter saw a vision of animals and birds come down from heaven in a sheet. God said to kill and eat. Peter refused because they were unclean or impure. This happened three times until Peter began to understand the animals represented the people who weren’t Jews (considered unclean), the Gentiles. With that revelation (“I now realize”), Peter obeys God and takes the message of redemption to the house of Cornelius.
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right (Acts 10:34).
Peter’s knowledge and understanding continue through this lifetime. He is one of the authors of two New Testament books by his name.
1 PETER, 2 PETER – KNOWLEDGE
Peter wrote two New Testament books before his martyrdom around AD 66-68. In the first book, Peter focused on encouragement through persecution. He emphasized the call to holiness.
Second Peter addressed false teachers among the churches in Asia Minor. More than a dozen times in three chapters Peter emphasizes the importance of getting knowledge. Knowledge (gnōsis) is more than an accumulation of facts. Knowledge speaks of knowing someone intimately. It carries with it much of the intent of the Old Testament Hebrew word “to know” (yada) as Adam “knew” Eve his wife, implying a very personal and intimate relationship. The knowledge of God that Peter is pressing his readers to attain has an outcome of spiritual maturity and depth of relationship with God.
Peter was martyred for his faith. Deep confidence and understanding transformed Peter’s life from weak human thinking to a mighty man of spiritual power and understanding.
CONCLUSION
Peter gives us great encouragement in our quest of knowledge and understanding of God’s ways. We, too, can conquer limited human thinking as we grow in faith and knowledge of God. Our knowledge deepens as we live in the Word, hear the secrets revealed, and gain spiritual understanding.
For this very reason,
make every effort to add to your faith goodness;
and to goodness, knowledge;
6 and to knowledge, self-control;
and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to
mutual affection, love. For if you
possess these qualities in increasing measure,
they will keep you from
being ineffective and unproductive
in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV
Peter’s final verse in 2 Peter chapter 3 sums up his entire writing:
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (3:18).
PRAYING FOR YOU
If you are in a place of not understanding what God is doing or not doing, we’ve all been there. It’s hard to understand in the middle of a trial. We all have doubts. Remember that the disciples who actually walked with Jesus experienced similar doubts. Don’t give up. Continue in the Word. Read it, pray over it, and believe the promises. Get it in your head and heart! Trust God’s timing to bring about the right answers. Remember growing is a process of time and experience and trust in the One who has a perfect plan for your life! I’m praying for you today!
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 32:8 NIV
NEXT STEP
Read through 1 and 2nd Peter – only eight chapter.
Note the many times Peter refers to “knowing” and “knowledge” of God (getting to know God intimately).
What one thing will you do today to grow in the knowledge of God?
An intelligent heart acquires knowledge and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge (ESV) Proverbs 18:15
Growing into spiritual maturity and taking on the nature of Jesus doesn’t ease the attraction of sin. Satan’s tempting bait often comes in subtle, unsuspecting ways that may catch us off guard. Thankfully, there are guardrails to keep us on the narrow road to heaven.
Attacks, slander, and hatred are part of the fabric of our nation. What is the solution when the battle is raging? What do we do when we are personally attacked? Scriptures tell us God will fight for us if we seek Him through prayer, singing praise, believing His Word, and listening for the Holy Spirit’s voice.
Scripture says any attack or battle we face is not only with another person. We are fighting something more.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).
The Old Testament story from 2 Chronicles 20 gives powerful testimony to the fact that God fought for His people, and He will fight for His people today.
SOME BACKGROUND HISTORY
Jehoshaphat erred in his alliances with the evil King Ahab through marriage and in fighting against the Aramaens whom God sent to destroy Ahab. God rebuked Jehoshaphat through Jehu, the prophet: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?”
God rebuked the King, but he also noticed good in him. The prophet encouraged the King, “There is some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles (idols) and have set your heart on seeking God” (2 Chronicles 19:3).
Following the Lord’s rebuke, Jehoshaphat realized he could not have one foot in the wicked ways of Ahab and the culture, and one foot in serving God. If we are expecting God’s blessings and provision, we must make sure we are standing with people who fight for God and His values. “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?”
Jehoshaphat showed true repentance. He set out to turn the people back to serving Jehovah. He radically reformed the judiciary in every fortified city of Judah. “Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery” (2 Chronicles 19:7).
He appointed Levites, priests, and heads of Israel families to “serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord, and warn them not to sin against the Lord” 2 Chronicles 19:10).
Jehoshaphat stepped us his leadership to get his people under God’s rule and laws.
After this, King Jehoshaphat faced a significant attack from vast enemy armies. But with his committed heart for God leading the nation to honor God, he knew what to do. No longer helping the wicked who hate the Lord (wicked King Ahab), the King gathered the people from every town in Judah to seek God’s help in this attack. Without it, only defeat! All the men of Judah, their wives and little ones stood before the Lord in prayer. Here’s the full text (2 Chronicles 20).
PRAY FIRST
The King prayed:
“O Lord God, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all might so that no one is able to withstand You?
Are you not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants?
We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.
The Spirit of the Lord spoke through a Levite minister, Jahaziel: Do not be afraid nor discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
I love those words! Our battles are God’s, too, when we lean on Him and trust His Word.
At a recent prayer meeting, we were seeking God’s help for a difficult situation. A brother in prayer felt the Spirit speak these similar words to us, “Don’t be afraid. The battle is the Lord’s, and He never loses” (Thank you, Bill R). Now that’s a faith builder!
In the Old Testament story, the Lord continued to speak:
“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'”
The next morning they set out and began to sing and praise, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever,” and the Lord set ambushes against the men who were invading Judah, and they were defeated and destroyed. No survivors in the enemy’s camp. None!
GOD NEVER LOSES! Our part is to pray, praise, believe the Word, and listen to the Spirit! As we do, we can be confident the same God who fought the batlles in Scripture will fight for us!
When the people sang and praised the Lord, the Lord took care of the enemy. I can’t be angry when I sing. Fear leaves. Peace builds. Singing praise brings my attention to God’s power and greatness. My eyes focus on the power of God rather than the giant in front of me.
In God’s presence, there is fullness of joy. Singing praise fills my thoughts and lifts my attention upward. Faith builds. I believe what God says in His Word!
You may be familiar with these songs: “I’m going to see a victory, for the battle belongs to the Lord.” Or, “I raise a hallelujah in the presence of my enemies.”
When we sing and praise the Lord, He promises to fights for us.
BELIEVE GOD’S WORD
When I sing, pray, and fill my thinking with Scripture, it’s easier to focus on Gods able deliverance. The same principles in the stories of Scripture are true. When God bolds a scripture, I underline it, put in my journal, post it on the refrigerator, and say it out loud. I keep reminding myself of God’s promises.
God’s Word builds my faith! The more I hear it, the more I believe it! When I feed my faith, it grows. When I starve my fear, it dies.
The prayer of Bill (I mentioned above) is posted on the refrigerator, so I see it often through the day (“Don’t be afraid. The battle is the Lord’s, and He never loses”) and because it’s Scripture, my faith is encouraged. I can believe in God’s Word. He’s the same today as He was yesterday. What He did for his people in Bible times, He will do for us who believe.
LISTEN FOR THE GENTLE VOICE OF THE SPIRIT
God speaks through others, but God also speaks to us individually when we are facing trouble.
The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahazial: “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
We were seeking God’s direction if we should fly to attend our grandson’s wedding at the end of April during the COVID. The restrictions and fear of contracting the virus weighed into our discussion. Should we go or stay at home? Will we be safe?
The day before the deadline for flying, the Lord bolded this verse of Scripture, “I will walk about in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments” (Psalm 119:45). I knew God spoke through His Word and the gentle voice of the Spirit. We could go to the wedding. We could walk in freedom on this trip, and not be afraid.
We made the trip without issue and had a wonderful time. God kept His Word!
A more recent experience of the Holy Spirit’s voice came through in a unique way. I’m learning new software for recording music and have called several times for technical support. Often, the tech wasn’t able to immediately fix the problem. This time, I was amazed at how quickly and easily he solved it. It was an easy fix! That’s when the Holy Spirit spoke clearly to me about the impossible battle we were facing and said, “It’s an easy fix for Me!”
I knew God’s presence and peace. God is fighting our battle!
Satan, our adversary, goes to great lengths to deceive, discourage, and destroy faith. He is not only a super-thief but the Father of Lies, an accuser, a slanderer, a murderer from the beginning. He masquerades as an angel of light. He tries to scare us like a roaring lion ready to pounce and devour. However, standing firm with prayer, singing praise, and listening to the Spirit’s voice through the Word, the evil one has to flee. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world!
When God speaks, peace comes as I listen.
Maui Beach, photo by Judy
BONUS – BLESSINGS AND PEACE
Not only did God destroy Jehoshaphat’s enemies, but He also blessed the people beyond expectation! It took three days to collect all the spoil from these defeated enemies – valuables, clothing, equipment – a wealth of blessing! And not only the spoils, but there was peace in the land, and the enemies didn’t attack again.
The story ends this way: The Lord won the battle, and it was known.
“The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against Israel’s enemies. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side” (2 Chronicles 20:29, 30).
Not only did God win the battle, but God was honored in the nations. Unexpected provision and peace blessed His people.
CONCLUSION
Ultimately every battle we face is a spiritual one, whether a personal battle or the battles raging in our nation. The same prescription remains – pray, sing praises, fill our minds with God’s Words and promises, and listen for the Spirit’s voice.
Armor up with the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Soldier up with your shield of faith in God’s promises. Keep your head covered with the helmet of salvation, and the belt of truth. Wear the breastplate of right living, and walk about in God’s peace (Eph 6:12-18).
God will fight for us. God will exceed our expectations. Peace and rest will come as we live in God’s presence and believe His Word.
When we pray, worship, believe the Word of God, and listen for the Spirit’s voice, we will know victory in our battles!
I hope you will take time to read 2 Chronicles 20 and let the Holy Spirit speak to you as you pray, sing praises, believe God’s Word and listen to the gentle leading of the Spirit for your own personal battles.. I’m doing the same.
This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you”(2 Chronicles 20: 15-17).