Ever wanted something so bad, such that the longer you waited for it, the more discouraged you became at it not being realized? As time passed, so too did the excitement of receiving the gift — up to a point . . . but then the longer it took to achieve the goal, the greater the doubt that the goal would ever be achieved . . . the longer it took for the day to come, the more you wondered if the day would ever come. Instead of anticipation continuing to build, there came a point where it started diminishing . . . the focus started waning . . . the mind started wandering . . . and wondering. Such seems to be the case of those to whom Peter wrote his second letter.

Peter knew that his time on earth was drawing to a close — the Lord Himself having revealed it to him (1:14). And before he went, he was determined (as well as inspired by the Holy Spirit) to leave one last reminder to those who had “obtained like precious faith” (1:1). Three times he states his purpose in writing this letter . . . as long as he was alive he would “stir them up” by reminding them (1:13) . . . he was careful to ensure that they always had a reminder of “these things” (1:15) . . . though they knew and were established in the present truth, he would not be negligent to remind them of “these things” (1:12). Peter wrote this second letter as a reminder to go after “these things”.

And just what are “these things”. They are the qualities Peter lists in 1:5-7 . . . those attributes we are to make every effort to add to our faith . . . “these things” are virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. “For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful (1:8a) . . . for if you do these thing you will never stumble (1:10b)” . . . and because you have pursued these things “an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (1:11).

But when would that day come . . . that day of entering into His everlasting kingdom? They had pursued “these things” in light of that day . . . that day which they so wanted to come . . . that day they had anticipated for a lifetime . . . that day which seemed so distant . . . the anticipation of which was starting to diminish . . . the focus on which was being blurred . . . the mind starting to wander . . . and wonder.

And so what’s the “secret sauce” to keeping up the pursuit of “these things” in light of “that day”?

It’s the word of prophecy . . . the testimony of God that His Son is coming again . . . a preview of which Peter saw on the Mount of Transfiguration (1:16-18). And so, Peter would write, “And this prophetic word 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” (1:19).

The word sheds light in this dark place of that coming day. I read of promises fulfilled in the past . . . and am encouraged that those for the future will also be fulfilled. I read of all the prophecy already met in Christ . . . and I’m confident that the yet-to-be-fulfilled prophecies will just as surely be met. I consider afresh God’s “track record” in doing what He says He’ll do . . . and my faith is emboldened as I confidently look to that day when faith will give way to sight.

The word of God is the flashlight . . . bringing illumination sufficient for the day. It’s a beam of light pointing to a brighter-than-the-sun light which I’ll know when that day dawns . . . and the morning star rises . . . and my heart is fully illuminated with glory of God.

I can’t wait . . . but I will. And while I wait . . . regardless of how long . . . I’ll take advantage of the light contained in this Book in front of me . . . this living and powerful book . . . this fountain that fuels the anticipation . . . this testimony which revitalizes the taste for the kingdom . . . this prophetic word that reminds me He is coming again and that I should be pursuing “these things” until “that day” . .. . for His glory . . . amen?