Scoffers!

Saw these hedge apples on our walk today. They seem to defy
gravity, and appear to be far too large for the tree. God's
creation leaves us in wonder. 

Scripture:

2Pet. 3:1   This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you ² that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken through your apostles. ³ First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts ⁴ and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!” ⁵ They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water, ⁶ through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. ⁷ But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless.

Observation:

The tone of Peter’s letter now changes dramatically. The believers are to stay steadfastly grounded in that which they have learned and heard from the prophets and the apostles. This is vitally important because there will be scoffers: people who make fun of the people of God and what they believe. They will joke about the second coming of Jesus. They will mock the hand of God in nature and creation. 

While there may be scoffers and those who mock, God’s people are to remain steadfastly confident in God. Powers puts it this way, “Believers are reminded that God is in control. He remains actively involved in the events of our lives and the history of the world. Thus, even while human sinfulness hurtles the world toward a conflagration of punishment and destruction, believers retain the steadfast confidence that God is in control” (NBBC, 1 & 2 Peter/Jude). The scoffers will attempt to repudiate God’s participation in all that we witness and experience, relegating God’s action to something akin to Deism. 

Application:

We are surrounded by scoffers. Plenty of people would tell us that we are fools to listen to the words of the Scriptures. Prophets from the Old Testaments and words of Apostles may seem dated to those who do not know the Lord. That’s why they cannot comprehend why we would follow these great words of truth that have been kept for us through the generations. 

The world also believes that science can now explain everything away. Maybe that was the case in the first century, and yet, it’s amazing how much has been discovered since that time. Just a few years ago scientists were discussing the incredible fact that the world has so much water, and contemplating where that water came from. In the first century Peter was arguing that God was the one who had brought the water. When humanity begins to believe that they have the power to change nature, they put themselves in the place of God. That concept was a problem in the first century, and continues today. Yes, the scoffers look at Christians and mock them for their beliefs, thinking that humans can explain everything away. 

While scoffers continue to look at Christians and wonder about their faith we are challenged to keep our trust in the One who never changes. God has promised to be with us, yesterday, today and forever. No, that may not always make sense to everyone but that is why this is called “faith.” While the world scoffs, we continue to trust and have faith in the God who loves and cares for all of creation. 

Prayer:

Lord, when I think about the wonders of your creation, I stand in awe of your great power and might. I want to trust in you each and every day. May the voices that surround not become a distraction to your great love. Amen.