2 Peter 1:16-21 16For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “this is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 19We 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. 20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
During my early childhood I was fairly genius at creating “cleverly devised stories.” I could explain almost any mistake with eloquence. On one family vacation I remember slipping in the mud. I immediately doused my dry foot into the muddy water—reasoning that if my shoes looked the same, my mother would not notice. Somehow, and being only 4 or 5 at the time, the fact that my new sneakers were white while the mud was black seemed to escape my logic. My cleverness did not fool anyone, especially not my mother, and there could be no cleverly devised story sufficient to avoid the consequences of ruining brand new shoes.
Peter writes to Christians dealing with the dangers of being confused by false teachers and their cleverly devised stories. Peter assures these dear ones that he speaks truth concerning Jesus Christ. From personal experience he assures the group that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Peter continues with the instruction to “pay attention” to the truth even all the more as we wait for the Morning Star to return.
Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,
Help us to identify and cling to the truth of your Word. Keep us steadfast in your care as we await the soon return of your Son, Jesus Christ.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.
The devotion Cleverly Devised Stories was originally written for Wednesday, October 24, 2012; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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