Friday, February 3 – 2 Peter 1:20-21

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

There are many things we believe as a matter of wishful thinking rather than what we know to be true. We believe we may have done well on the test we did not study for or that we will see the ten percent chance of sunshine when the rest of the forecast is rain on the day of our pool party. Sometimes faith feels equally far off, like hoping in God is just wishful thinking. But this passage is a reminder that the hope we hold is anchored in the Word and is not just wishful thinking or a story made up by men. The Word we read has been orchestrated and put together by the one true God! In his commentary, Adam Clarke notes, “far from inventing the subject of their own predictions, the ancient prophets did not even know the meaning of what themselves wrote. They were carried beyond themselves by the influence of the Divine Spirit, and after ages were alone to discover the object of the prophecy; and the fulfilment was to be the absolute proof that the prediction was of God and that it was of no private invention.”[1]

Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” When we don’t know what to do, when we feel the weight of hurt in our world, when we see the sin in our own hearts—we can run to the One we know is true. He has proven Himself to be trustworthy and through His Word and His Spirit, our hearts can be molded into His image every day. This hope is near, present, and real to you today. Rejoice as you remember how God has kept His promises!

• What would it look like to hold fast to the hope of Jesus today?
• When has faith in Christ felt more like wishful thinking to you? What helped you during that time?
• Pray for God to help you hold fast to His hope in Jesus and see how His word is truly trustworthy.

[1] Adam Clarke, The Holy Bible with a Commentary and Critical Notes, New Edition., vol. 6 (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife Corporation, 2014), 884.