12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Today’s post is a Part 2 to yesterday’s post. If you haven't already, please read yesterday's post before continuing.
Corrie Ten Boom’s experience with the German soldier is a phenomenal work that God brings (and must bring about) in each of our lives. What we know (in our heads) and even preach to others (e.g., in Corrie’s case— forgiveness) must sink deep into the dark chambers of our fallen hearts, in order to root out the previously unknown darkness and bring it into the light. God brought about the German soldier not to harm Corrie, but to love her, and to prove in practice what Corrie thought to have already known. And she did know (in her mind)! But God needed to do the sovereign work to take it deeper, to take it wider, to make it fruitful knowledge, to make it diligent practice, to prove her faith in Christ, and to prove to the world the supreme worth of His glory, His gospel, and His Son.
Peter is close to death (2 Peter 1:14) and while sitting on death row his deep longings are to “always to remind you of these qualities” (2 Peter 1:12) and “as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder” (2 Peter 1:13) and “I will make every effort so that… you may be able to at any time to recall these things” (2 Peter 1:15).
Peter is saying… in that moment, when God begins to sovereignly bring situations to prove your faith, to prove your beliefs, to prove your knowledge, to refine it and make it real, remember! Bring the gospel to mind! Bring the truths to your heart! Extend your hand in obedience and God will supply the rest!
I remember my piano teacher at ages 5 through 12 hammering notes, theory, scales, and classical pieces into my brain. Oh how I despised practicing piano over those years. But now when I hear a song, when I listen to a note, when I come across a piece, my brain is able to quickly recall memories from those archived chambers. The practice was worth it! I not only hear it, I soar with it! I understand it! I enjoy it!
In the same way, the practice, the reminders, the recall is preparing us for our German soldier, the moment of testing, when our Isaac is on the alter and our greatest possession is being tested against our one Great Possession. God will be faithful. The practice will not be for waste. Peter knows this. He calls for more practice, more reminders. In those moments, the Holy Spirit will bring about and prove His great worth, His great love, His great mercy, and Jesus as our Great Treasure.