November 27

Everything We Need

Today’s Scripture Readings:  Psalm 131:1-3 | Daniel 4:1-37 | 2 Peter 1:1-21 | Proverbs 28:17-18

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Peter 1:2-8

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:2-8 NIV).

God, by his divine power has given us everything we need for living a godly life. Sometimes the idea of a “godly life” or a “Christ-like life” seems so far off—so impossible. Perhaps that is why we settle for so little and don’t pursue godliness.

We don’t need to settle. God has given us his word, filling it with promises of the good things he would do in and through us as we grow in our “knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 

Begin to seek out the promises of what God would do in and through you. Begin to “plead the promises”—praying for God to work in you and in other believers you know. As you pray and intercede, God will begin to work out those promises in your life.

Then you will see the spiritual growth that is described in these verses: faith and goodness and knowledge and self-control and perseverance and godliness and mutual affection and love. Possessing these qualities in greater and greater measure will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our walk with Christ. Or to put it the other way: as these qualities, promised by scripture, are produced by God’s power we will live effective and productive lives as Christians. We become participants in the divine nature. Don’t settle for anything less. He has given us everything we need!

Lord, help me to press forward toward Christlikeness. Give me everything I need to take the steps you put before me today that I might continue to grow in grace and truth. Help me to possess these godly qualities in increasing measure. Amen.