Daily Readings and Thought for June 12th. “… LEAVING YOU AN EXAMPLE”
Daily readings: Judges 10,11, Isaiah 36, 1 Peter 2,
Let us meditate on what Peter is writing about in the 2nd chapter of his first epistle. Peter penned these challenging words! “…if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God”.[v.20] How true this was in centuries past for those who dedicatedly read and put into practice the original teaching of Jesus and his followers, such as Peter.
We note in particular what Peter tells them (v.21) “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”
Is this “example” followed in these last days? We are surrounded by modern inventions such as Television, mobile phones and the Internet! What bad examples some of them set us!
But consider the internet – this is how you are receiving this message – it has its blessings. I lived through the post war years in the 50’s and 60’s remarkable for many reasons; yet as it unfolded we saw the hand of God at work – and his nation came to life again – after nearly 2,000 years.
The words of Jesus spring to mind and meaning! “Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled… And there will be … distress of nations in perplexity…. “– Luke 21 v.24! God’s “times” will soon begin.
Finally, back in Peter – there is a verse we need to particularly meditate upon! Peter tells them how Jesus “suffered for” them “leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” Let us seek to do that – and how necessary it will become as there is increasing “perplexity” as the nations experience greater and greater “distress.”
