November 8 - 1 Peter 2: Perspective

I needed a dose of God's perspective this morning, and as usual, He delivered. These were just the words I needed to hear the morning after the presidential election.

Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order...Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government. (2:13-17)

It's easy for me to get caught up in politics, with strong opinions about what's best for the future of our country. Last night, I found myself getting lost in the little story and losing sight of God's Story.

But God is still sovereign, and Peter reminds me that He is the one who places authorities in their positions of power. There are no mistakes. There are no slip-ups. We make our plans, but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)

I'm resting in that truth today. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) He never changes. I'm the one who forgets.

I'm thankful that circumstances have helped me clarify who I am to focus on and where my hope lies.

Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation will never have cause to regret it. (2:6) 

Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. (2:11) 

[Jesus] used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls. (2:24-25)