This Tent

 "So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me."

— 2 Peter 1:12-14

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

Peter is writing to remind his readers of the basics of their Christian faith, even though they know them, so that they will be made stable, strengthened, made firm, and set fast in the truth they now have. He is doing this to stir up their minds as if to awaken them or arouse them from sleep. The word he uses isn't just a reminder, like "don't forget to pick up milk on the way home," but more like to rise up and be activated. John uses the same word to describe the sea being stirred up and agitated, "A strong wind was blowing and waters grew rough" (John 6:18). Peter wants his readers' minds to be roused from sleep and stirred up with the truth.

He knows his life on this earth is soon coming to an end. You told him how he would die, as a martyr for his faith (John 21:18-19). He describes this life as living "in the tent (skenoma) of this body." He calls his body a tent, or a tabernacle. A tent is by design a temporary place of residence. It is not meant to be a permanent dwelling place. Jesus, You used different words in John 14:2, "My Father's house has many rooms (dwelling places— moné); if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place (an inhabited place, any portion or space marked off, as a city, village, or district) for you?" Both words to describe our home in Heaven are permanent dwelling places. This tent of a body is temporary. As Peter says, I will soon put it aside. When I do, I will enter a permanent residence in Heaven that You have prepared for me.

Lord Jesus, as long as I live in this tent, help me remember that it is temporary. I am to take care of this earthly dwelling place but I am to invest in my permanent home. When I forget that this tent is not my home and I want to pour resource and attention into it, remind me, stir my mind to action, that my resources and attention are better invested in my permanent dwelling place with you in Heaven.

— In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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