Peter’s Exhortation
“Watch unto prayer.” —1 Peter 4:7
Read 1 Peter 4:1-8
Peter was faced with a countdown. In a short while he would be able to put off his body of sin and meet the Bridegroom. He was looking forward to that event and sought to prepare us for it as well (1 Peter 4:7). Therefore be sober and do not become intoxicated by the things of this world. Do not let sin drag you down and do not permit doom and gloom philosophies to influence you. There is hope; the end is near and the Lord Jesus is coming back. Does this truth frighten you? Will you shout “Maranatha!” when He appears upon the clouds, or will you cry out for the mountains to fall upon you and the hills to cover you? The time is short.
The Lord Jesus said that we must take heed to the fig tree. When the branches become tender and leaves begin to sprout we know that summer is near. And when we look at the signs of the times we know that the Lord Jesus shall soon return.Peter advises us to be sober and watchful, continuing in prayer. You may ask the Lord to prepare you for His coming. A noteworthy verse of a hymn runs as follows:
When the Trump of God is calling, dead arise in Jesus’ name, When the ones who slept in dust arise and live; When the unbeliever suddenly discovers, “I am lost”, Where shall I then stand when Jesus’ eyes see me? What would you do if you had but one day left?
Over the last few days, we have been busy examining Peter’s life, which was full of developments. The Lord moulded him into a useful vessel for His kingdom. From being a rash, and impulsive disciple, he was made into a seasoned, useful apostle. Did you see something of yourself in Peter, not only when he denied his Master, but also when he became small in himself? He confessed, “Thou knowest that I love Thee.” If you can also confess this, then, with Peter, you will long for the day when the Saviour will return.
“Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13).
What do Peter’s longings reveal?
This devotional was taken from “The Time of Your Life” a daily devotional published by the Youth & Educational Committee of the FRC. To order a printed copy of this book, contact: bookorders@frcna.org.