New Testament | 2 Peter 3:8-18 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
Make a Way by Isaac Wardell, Kate Bluett, and Paul Zach

Lyrics:
Come Son of God and make us new
Light of the world our hearts renew
Hope in our inner darkness lies
Oh healing sun of justice rise

Come promised since our Eden's end
Child of the woman come defend
Long have we felt the serpent's sting
Come strike his head and mercy bring

O make a way open wide the gates
O make a way through the sorrow and the pain
O make a way though the road is dark and winding
O come come

Come Son of Man to show the way
O through the tears may we see the day
So long did we in darkness dwell
Come down to break the chains of hell

Passage:
8 Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. 11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness 12 as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming. Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat. 13 But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

14 Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace. 15 Also, regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our dear brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom given to him. 16 He speaks about these things in all his letters. There are some things hard to understand in them. The untaught and unstable will twist them to their own destruction, as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures.

17 Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.
(2 Peter 3:8-18 CSB17)

Musical Reflection:
Angels We Have Heard on High (GLORIA), French carol

Reflection Notes:
This joyful French carol describes the scene found in Luke 2:8-15. Angels surprise shepherds in the Bethlehem fields and share the good news of the Savior’s birth. The famous chorus of cascading “glorias” emulates the angels’ song from that special night.

Prayer:
Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.