March 23rd Daily Devotion

20 Feb March 23rd Daily Devotion

 A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PETER’S SECOND LETTER  

IT BEARS REPEATING  

2 Peter 1:12-15 “So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.  I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.”

The refresh feature on your computer is one you may use infrequently.  However, there are times when it becomes necessary to update the information you have on your screen.  It is for that very moment that the refresh feature becomes important.

In today’s devotional verses, St. Peter addresses the need you have, even though you know the truth of God’s word, to have your mind and memory refreshed.  “It bears repeating” is an idiom.  Alice Sudlow comments:  “In our idiom “it bears repeating,” it’s a verb: “to bear” means “to be worthy of.” “It bears repeating,” then, means “it’s worth repeating.”

There are some things that you need to hear repeatedly.  One of the comments I found in researching the idiom, “It bears repeating” said it can also mean to carry, support, or endure.  Think of the importance the gospel is to you, your salvation and eternal life.  Repeatedly hearing from it of God’s undeserved love for you, His desire for you to be saved, and of your salvation through faith in His Son Jesus Christ refreshes in you, renews in your heart, the assurance your sins are forgiven and your eternal life in heaven is secure.

Peter wrote it was his goal as long as he lived to keep reminding, reinforcing, renewing his preaching, and teaching to “ . . . always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.  I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live . . .”  In fact, he said it was so important that before his death he would  “ . . . make every effort to see that after he died those to whom he ministered would always be able to remember these things.”

Why do you attend worship services and Bible studies regularly?  It is because you have heard the Word of God which is able to make you wise to your salvation. (2 Timothy 3:15-16) And, you never want to forget what your loving heavenly Father has done for you by sending His Son Jesus to save you from your sins.  Living in this wicked and fallen world you need constant renewal, refreshing, reinforcement of God’s good news for you that Jesus has earned for you eternal life.

Prayer:  Draw me to You, to be with You, dear Savior.  Amen.

Draw us to Thee, For then shall we Walk in Thy steps forever

And hasten on Where Thou art gone To be with Thee, dear Savior.

Draw us to Thee, Lord, lovingly; Let us depart with gladness

That we may be Forever free From sorrow, grief, and sadness.

Draw us to Thee; O grant that we May walk the road to heaven!

Direct our way Lest we should stray And from Thy paths be driven.

Draw us to Thee That also we Thy heav’nly bliss inherit

And ever dwell Where sin and hell No more can vex our spirit.

Draw us to Thee Unceasingly, Into Thy kingdom take us;

Let us fore’er Thy glory share, They saints and joint heirs make us.

(LSB 701)