第三章

⁸ 親愛的，這一件事你們不可忘記：在主看來，一日如千年，千年如一日。⁹ 主決不耽延他的應許，像有些人以為他是耽延的一樣；其實他是寬容你們，不願有一人滅亡，卻願人人都悔改。¹⁰ 但主的日子必要像賊一樣來到。在那日，天必轟然一聲地消失，所有元素都因烈火而融化；地和地上所有的，都要被燒毀。¹¹ 這一切既然都要這樣融化，你們應當怎樣為人，過著聖潔和敬虔的生活，¹² 等候並催促神的日子降臨呢？因為在那日，天要被火焚燒就融化了，所有元素都因烈火而融解！¹³ 但是我們按照他所應許的，等候新天新地，有公義在那裡居住。

 

默想：

1. 「基督至今尚未回來，為什麼主要延遲？」彼得提醒說，對我們是很長的一段時間，在神只是一瞬間；並且我們要等候這個一段很長的時間，是因為神的寬容，祂不願有一人「沉淪」。
2. 有人曾這樣說過：成為基督的樣式，是「人類最緩慢的動作」。我們很容易對自己失去耐性，而懷疑到底我是否能將某個習性改掉？能不能學會去愛？有沒有勇氣離開我的安樂窩？是否總是這樣害怕，或這樣自私？彼得的話提醒我們，神並不倉促急躁。祂知道我們的本性，屬靈生命像一場馬拉松長跑，而不是短跑衝刺；神十分樂意與我們一同奔跑，或在我們疲乏時與我們同行。
3. 思想：在我屬靈的生命成長中，有那方面的改變是非常緩慢的？感謝神對我這般的寬容；求神助我與祂合作，來完成在我生命中變成基督樣式的巨大工程。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

Chapter 3

⁸But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ⁹The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will melt in the heat.  ¹¹ Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ¹² as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. ¹³ But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

 

Meditation

1. Many in Peter’s audience were concerned and dismayed that Christ’s second coming had not yet occurred.  Peter reminded his readers that a very long time for us is a very short time for God.  Peter comments that God’s patience is responsible for the long wait for His coming.  God has no desire for anyone to “perish” (v9).
2. Someone has commented that transformation into the image of Christ “is the slowest of all human movements.”  Too easily we become impatient with ourselves, confused, disappointed, and angered over how long it takes to change.  Will I ever conquer this habit?  Will I ever learn to love?  Will I ever be willing to leave my comfort zone?  Will I always be so fearful?  Or selfish?  Or self-deceived?  Peter’s words remind us that God is in no rush.  He knows what we are made of.  The spiritual life is more a marathon than a sprint, and God is more than willing to run alongside of us or to walk with us if we grow weary.
3. Reflect.  What is the area of my spiritual growth that is the slowest to change?  Thank God for His patience for me.  Ask God to help me cooperate with Him to finish the enormous life transformation project going on in my life.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.