TODAY’S SCRIPTURE 2 Peter 1:16-21
Humanity has an insatiable thirst for knowledge. We plumb the depths of the oceans, explore the remotest areas in the world, and turn our telescopes toward the stars. Documentaries aired on the National Geographic, Discovery, and History Channels fascinate us. Others want more otherworldly information, so they take a superstitious turn toward astrologers and palm readers. Simply put, we want to know.
There is no subject worth knowing more than God. He is our creator, sustainer, and the grand architect of our redemption. In order to help us in our pursuit of knowing Him, God reveals Himself through the messages of the Hebrew prophets (Hebrews 1:1-2). These men (and occasionally women) serve as messengers or spokesmen. They do not craft their own messages, but speak the words that God gives them (2 Peter 1:21). As a result, their messages are consistent and their predictions come true.
Prophecy is validated by the prophet’s fidelity to the covenant and by signs and wonders that he performs. Its truthfulness is also demonstrated by the fulfillment of predictions made by the prophet. These predictions could include the fates of individuals such as Ahab and Jezebel, as well as the fate of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms in the exile. Perhaps the most wonderful are the hundreds of prophecies fulfilled by Jesus (e.g., Psalm 22:18; Isaiah 7:14; 53:9; Luke 4:21).
Revealing the future is only one aspect of prophecy, however. The work of the prophets is really to reveal the will of God. Unfortunately, this often comes in the form of warnings (Nehemiah 9:30). The prophets have a grim task of helping the people realize the depths of their sin as well as the importance of obedience.
Although readers today sometimes see Biblical prophecies as boring, we have to remember that each one is a letter from the heart of God to a beloved people. He rebukes the sinful and gives hope to the hopeless, all because He loves His creation. Though many prophecies were fulfilled long ago, it should still cause our hearts to leap for joy.
Today, I will…be content that everything I need to know for my spiritual life has already been revealed by God. He has anticipated our needs and provided instructions accordingly.