2 PETER 1:16-21

SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2-3, 2007

I WISH I COULD HAVE BEEN WITH ST. PETER

16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:16-21 (NKJV)

I can’t even begin to imagine how I would have reacted if I had been standing there with St. Peter and the others. Can you picture it in your mind? Jesus was probably continuing to talk with them and teach them. All of a sudden there came a voice. I like to believe it was more than just a voice; I think it was a BOOMING voice.  I am sure that may have frightened me. Then consider these words spoken by that voice, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” WOW!

In the concluding verses of this chapter, St. Peter emphasizes that he heard that Voice and these Words. This is important because no one can say that he made them up. How meaningful it would have been to hear those words in that Thundering Voice?

People often ask if God still speaks today, and if so why don’t we hear Him? Verse 21 answers that question, “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

I do not believe that the problem is that God is not speaking. I believe that the problem is that we are not listening. How can we be listening when some have music playing in their ears nearly every waking minute? How can we listen when we can’t even pull ourselves away from the phone while driving? How can we listen when we have already made up our minds and know that God surely approves because it fits in so well with our non-church-going society.

I believe it is still possible to hear God speak. All we have to do is react in a positive manner to his Words when He says, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Allow God to speak to you; keep yourself available to hear His Voice. Be prepared to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel as fervently as St. Peter did.

WE PRAY:  Heavenly Father, help me to understand the importance of silence in my time of prayer, Bible Study, and meditation. Send your Holy Spirit upon me so that I might do as you would have me do. AMEN

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

At a time when you usually listen to music, turn it off and listen for God to guide you. It could be spoken words. It could be a thought that enters your mind.  ALWAYS REMEMBER that God would not have told us to call on Him if He wasn’t going to respond to our prayers.