Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
2 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV)
8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
What happens to food and plants that are perishable? Have you ever forgotten to add water to a vase of flowers? What happens to a bunch of bananas over a week? Would you eat meat that’s been sitting out of refrigeration all week or even a day? Of course not. It is rotten and is beginning to decay.
Death is all around us. In fact, many would say it’s just a part of life. Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines the word perishable as: “liable to perish; liable to spoil or decay.” And yes, our bodies are liable to perish one day, but our soul is a different story. Many have pondered the age-old question: What happens when we die? 2 Peter 3:9 tackles this question head on. If God wants none to perish, then how will we become imperishable?
Webster’s Dictionary defines the word imperishable as: “not perishable or subject to decay; enduring or occurring forever. When we die the question becomes, where will we “endure” forever? In other words, will your soul endure eternity with God in Heaven or away from God in a place called Hell reserved for death and destruction and decay. The choice is yours to make.
The soul of every creation of God is born perishable and subject to death and decay, due to the fall of man. Yet once we surrender our life to Christ however, we are reborn-this time as a child of God born into God’s family. As a child of God, our soul is no longer subject to death and destruction, but is an imperishable soul promised eternal life with God in Heaven. John 1:12-13 tells us “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
The Lord wants no one to perish but all to come to a place of repentance-that place where we die to our old self and we turn away from death and destruction and turn to follow Christ instead. This is the process of a heart turning from perishable to imperishable. The work is done on the cross, and God awaits his beloved. Who will come? Each person’s “yes” to follow Christ is marked on His Kingdom calendar, but sadly many will answer “no” as well. The Lord awaits each “yes” with patience that we cannot comprehend. What splendor awaits those who surrender their life to Jesus-their souls are restored to live as God intended us to be and ready to live amidst a Holy God! Have you answered “yes” to follow Jesus? Our days are not like a thousand years, so we musn’t wait. With perishing souls all around us, who needs to hear the gospel message today?
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, thank you for my salvation. Make me aware of the perishing hearts of those around me. Lead me to someone who needs to hear the Good News of the gospel message this week. Help me to point them to you Jesus with boldness and clarity. In Jesus Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”