Pay Attention

 "We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."

— 2 Peter 1:19

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

Peter is emphasizing his point that this Gospel is not a myth, fable, or cleverly devised story. He says, "If you don't believe me, go to the Scriptures." the Old Testament's 353+ prophecies of the Messiah were completely fulfilled by Jesus Christ. The odds of one man fulfilling only eight Old Testament messianic prophecies is 1 in 100 quadrillion (10 to the 17th power). To understand this, picture silver dollars two feet deep covering the state of Texas. Now mark one silver dollar with a red X and have a blind-folded person find that marked silver dollar. That's the chance of one person fulfilling just eight prophecies. Jesus Christ, You fulfilled them all, which makes the prophetic message of Scripture completely reliable.

I will do well to pay attention to Scripture. The Bible, God's Word, is a light shining in a dark place. This word "dark" (Greek: auchmeros) means "gloomy, depressingly dark, dirty, murky." Second Corinthians 4:4 explains, "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ..." When I walk by the torchlight of Scripture, its light shines in my darkness upon the dirt in my life so it can be removed.

Peter says we must pay attention to this prophetic message until the day dawns and morning star rises in our hearts. Jesus, You are that morning star. There will be a day when You return and the fullness of who You are will rise in our hearts. Romans 13:12 says that, "The night is nearly over, the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light."

Lord Jesus, I choose to pay attention to Your completely reliable Word. May it not only shine within my heart but may it shine brightly in this dark, gloomy world. May others be illuminated by Your Word until the day dawns, night is no more, and You have come!

— In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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