The Lighthouse Devotional
Author: Rosalind Wilson
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Pet 1:3 NIV).
PERSONAL REFLECTION
I remember the feeling I had after my water baptism. I felt like the cleanest new penny ever created. God had forgiven my sins, and I left them behind in the water. I was on top of the world. As I walked away from the water’s edge, I silently vowed to God that I would not allow my penny to lose its shine or my white robe to be sullied again (cf. 2 Cor 5:17).
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Peter confirms that God gives us all the benefits of His kingdom as a gift, and the source of these blessings is His divine power. Paul says the same as he assures believers that God will supply all their needs from His glorious riches they have received in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19). God satisfies our needs, helping us live godly lives through “our knowledge of Him” who called us to Himself.
Our journey begins at conversion when we, by faith, accept God’s gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, for salvation. Led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we change how we think and act. We learn to trust God, allowing Him to mold us into the image of Christ (Eph 4:13). In the process, we grow by adding goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love to our faith (2 Pet 1:5–8), which allows God to use us for His glory. We graduate from “an eye for an eye” mentality (Matt 5:38) to “turning the other cheek” (5:39) and forgiving “seventy times seven” (18:22). The growth process may sometimes feel painful. Still, it is necessary for our spiritual transformation so that we no longer conform to the pattern of this world (Rom 12:2).
EXHORTATION
Spiritual growth stretches, protects, and strengthens us, so we do not stagnate and become complacent. Some who have gone before us have had to hide in caves (1 Sam 22, 24), suffer unjust imprisonment (Gen 39), and seek safety in the wilderness (1 King 19). So, as we grow, let us remember that God gives us everything we need to live godly lives and to sustain us (Jude 24–25).
PRAYER
Sovereign God, we come to You with thankful hearts, understanding that You are our source of every blessing. Lord, forgive our sins and help us to become what You have created us to be. Polish us, like pennies, as You see fit, and bleach our white robes when they become sullied. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.