TODAY’S SCRIPTURE 2 Peter 3:8-13
One Saturday afternoon, our almost-three-year-old daughter asks, “Will you and Mommy take me to Mickey’s house? It’s a long way away.” At first, I didn’t understand what she was asking. Then my wife speaks up and says, “Disney World.” Our niece had just returned from her Disney World trip just a few days ago, so my daughter had heard all about it and knew she wanted to go. There’s some insight as to why she said she wanted to go. She wanted to go to “Mickey’s house.” She has great affections for Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, Elsa, and Anna. She wants to go to the place she can be with them.
I find myself realizing I need to have the same perspective toward Heaven. I want to live in Heaven. But I also need to think, “I want to go where God lives” more often. Heaven is a holy city because of who lives there.
Shortly before His death, Peter writes 2 Peter to remind Christians they must keep growing and to warn them of false teachers. Beginning in 2 Peter 3:8, Peter corrects some of those false teachers by pointing to the difference between how we view time compared to how God views time. Christ’s return will come unexpectedly, and all will be burned up and destroyed at His return.
In light of the earth’s fate, Peter asks, “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness?” Because the destruction of the earth is certain but its timing is unexpected, Peter commands us to live holy and godly lives. It’s worth it to live holy and godly lives because a new home awaits; Peter says, “We are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” God promises His holy nation they will be citizens of a new holy city.
We want to live in the holy city that is to come; therefore we must live holy and godly lives through Christ now. I’m thankful for the holy city where righteousness dwells, and I’m especially excited it’s where the Righteous One dwells.
Today, I will…draw a full-page picture of Heaven (do it as a family if possible). How did you choose to illustrate God’s presence?
