Scripture
4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; 5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— 9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. 10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.
Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings;
Reflection
The principle Peter is teaching here is since way back in the Old Testament, the Lord has been in the business of rescuing those who earnestly (i.e. make every effort) to know and follow Him from trials and to holding the “bad guys” for punishment on the day of judgment. He knows how to do this. Knowing there will be a day of judgment is crucial to having hope and trust in Him, being able to persevere under sustained tough circumstances, and choosing non-violence and forgiveness when wronged. On this inevitable day of reckoning that everybody (believers and non-believers) will come to, God will make right everything that is wrong.
We also know for sure God will not spare anything or anyone for any wrongdoing because he has done this before. This is who He is – just. In order to restore a reconciled and righted relationship with us broken human beings whose sin makes us deserve eternal death, even if it cost the Father the life of, and intimate relationship with, His only, perfect and dearly loved son Jesus, the Father would give it. And even if it cost Jesus the suffering of being wrongly condemned by the people, the excruciating painful death he suffered, and the sense of abandonment and being cut off from the one you deeply love and you know loves you, He would give it too.
Therefore, if God did not leave any wrong unpunished, not on anybody’s guanxi or account – not even on the account of His sole heir – so he will not be sparing any wrongdoing any now or in the future. And because He loves those who earnestly (make every effort) to know and follow Him, He will always make things right for these people.
Thoughts for the day
- Looking at what God has done to go through with the plan to make things (i.e. their relationship with every person who would accept their love) right with you, how much does He love you?
- Where do you need to trust that God will save you from trials and hold the “bad guy” for punishment in the end?
- What does it look like to hang in there and trust Him?
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What does this passage tell you about humanity?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in an area of your life that needs transformation?
- Is there anyone you think should hear or will benefit from this message? Go and tell them.
Prayer
Dear God and heavenly father, thank you so much for loving me. It still blows my mind. Help me to trust you with this situation, and the next, and the next, that you will be who you say you are, and you will make things right. Help me to hang in there God!
