June 9

Cheering Promises

Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. — 2 Pet 1:4 BSB

Precious faith and precious promises are inseparably linked (2 Peter 1:1-4). The promises stir our faith, and faith trusts in the fulfilment of those promises. Some people ask why God’s Word seems to fail or why the righteous appear forsaken. But the issue isn’t that God fails to fulfil His promises—it’s that we don’t claim them. It’s like carrying a pocket full of uncashed checks while starving. When you find a promise that fits your need, don’t stop until you have brought it to God and claimed its fulfilment.

Everything needed for life and godliness has already been given to us through Jesus our Lord (2 Peter 1:3). We don’t need to pray for things God hasn’t thought of yet; we need to claim the things He has already provided. The purpose of God’s preparation is not just for us to escape the world’s corruption, but that we might become “partakers of His divine nature.” What an incredible promise—that we might be filled with God’s very nature!

The phrase “these things” recurs in the following verses, referring to the virtues of faith, courage, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, kindness, and love. These qualities build on each other like layers in a Chinese box, each one containing the next until we reach the precious core. Faith is the foundation that leads to all the others. To lack “these things” is to be spiritually short-sighted.

The Apostle promises that a soul rich in these qualities will have a triumphant entrance into the eternal kingdom. It will enter the harbor with sails raised and flags flying, receiving a glorious welcome from those awaiting its arrival (2 Peter 1:11). Let us be diligent in claiming God’s great and precious promises so that we will never fall short.

Prayer

Grant us, O Lord, we pray, to always seek Your kingdom and righteousness. Provide for us abundantly in all we need, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.