Read: 1 Peter 3:8-22

Two years ago after almost 38 years in prison Malcolm Alexander walked out of a Louisiana prison a free man.  DNA evidence had cleared him of a wrongful conviction that happened back in 1980.  Mr. Alexander had been sentenced to life in prison and served 38 years for a crime that he did not commit.  He had steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout the court proceedings and the many years that followed.  How would we react if we were in this situation?

In 1 Peter 3 we are encouraged to “not repay evil for evil or insult with insult.”  That is great advice to follow but much harder advice to follow through on.  When someone has done wrong to us our first fleshly reaction is to get even or make someone pay for what they have done to us.  While this may curb our appetite for revenge it does nothing for our soul or our ability to move past those situations.  In fact, Peter encourages us to “repay evil with a blessing.”

When Malcolm Alexander was released from Prison on January 30, 2018 he showed incredible grace in the interviews that followed.  He said “you cannot be angry, there’s not enough time to be angry.”  In the 38 years of unjust imprisonment he was not undone by the injustice that put him there.  Instead he spoke of grace, mercy, and thankfulness for now being free.  Jesus gives us the example that Peter writes about in these verses.  Jesus went to the cross to free us from the burden of sin in our lives.  Before he did that he encouraged us to extend grace to others, even those who have done wrong to us.

Read: 1 Corinthians 16:1-18

There have been many stories recently of people helping others and looking out for each other’s needs.  These are wonderful to hear.  One of those stories includes Ireland and some Native American people.  It starts back in 1847 when some 60,000 Native Americans heard about the Great Famine that was taking place in the country of Ireland across the Atlantic Ocean.  Even though they had recently undergone forced relocation along the Trail of Tears, they joined together to raise around $5,000 to send to the Irish people.

Now, 173 years later during this world pandemic, World digital news reports that the Irish people are returning the favor.  They originally setup a GoFundMe page for the Navajo and Hopi reservations in hopes of raising $2 million to help them with food, water, and personal protective equipment.  The goal has recently been raised to $5 million, and almost $4 million has already been raised.  Not even a vast ocean can stop people from helping to meet each others needs.

In 1st Corinthians 16 the apostle Paul encourages similar generosity for the needy people in Jerusalem.  He encourages the Galatian churches to set aside a sum of money each week to send as a gift to the people of Jerusalem.  There was no GoFundMe page to give to but Paul collected their gifts and later delivered them to the believers in Jerusalem.  Another great example of meeting each other’s needs.  Let’s continue to do that ourselves during this difficult time for many.

Read: 2 Peter 3:8-18

Recently in World magazine a story was shared about a Louisiana man who was pulled over for having an expired license plate sticker.  Most likely that happens to people quite often because they just forget to renew their sticker, but this story was a bit different than others.  This man had an expired sticker from 1997.  When the officer came up to the vehicle the man said, “Sorry officer.  I’ve been busy lately and totally forgot to renew my vehicle registration.  I will take care of it as soon as I get home.”

Some people are more prone to put things off than others but all of us have the tendency to think that we will just take care of that tomorrow.  For some things in life that is no big deal but for others it is a huge deal.  Repentance and salvation through Jesus, forgiveness of others, and eternal life in heaven are matters that need to be addressed now instead of later.  These are not things to “put off” because they have implications for the rest of eternity.

In 2 Peter 3:10 the Bible says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.”  In verse 14 it says, “make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him.”  That doesn’t mean perfect, it just means saved and redeemed.  It is reminding us that now is the time to make sure we are right with God, have received his Son Jesus into our life, and are living a life of peace, grace, and service in his name.  These are things that should always be at the top of our list.  Someone once said, “You cannot repent of your sins and receive Jesus into your life too soon because you do not know how soon will be too late.” 

Read: Romans 8:18-30

A year or so in the past I read an article that said “Americans are addicted to convenience.”  At the time I questioned how true that statement was but this current pandemic has revealed that in Western culture we don’t do very well when it comes to doing without or being uncomfortable.  None of us would choose this current situation if we had a choice, but when we are going through something uncomfortable we always wait eagerly for future change and redemption.

In Romans 8, Paul, who suffered greatly and gave up much convenience for the sake of Christ, reminds us that our life of faith is like this too.  Before Jesus saved us by dying on the cross for us we were “groaning inwardly as we waited eagerly for our adoption” by God to be redeemed.  Earlier in verse 18 Paul says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”  That glory is revealed in Jesus Christ.

There is no doubt that we like our conveniences here in the United States.  In some respects our choices are endless and our lives are pretty comfortable.  But what will we learn during this pandemic about suffering, loss, being uncomfortable, and doing without?  Perhaps we will realize that life in this world is sometimes imperfect.  Like Paul says, “the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”

But here is the good news.  In the midst of an imperfect world the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness (v.26).  In the truth that we are imperfect people Jesus has come to redeem us and save us (v. 22-25).  And in spite of all our suffering and addictions God will work for the good of those who love him (v.28).  If this time of inconvenience draws us closer to God and causes us to rely more on Jesus then perhaps we will look back on 2020 differently than how we see it now.

Read: Psalm 48

Each year when the Spring season begins its greening and blooming I have to take time to marvel at how incredible this world is that God created.  Things that were totally dead spring to new life.  Grass that was totally brown turns to lush shades of green.  Flowers that faded in the Fall once again Spring to life.  These things make me want to proclaim with Psalm 48, “Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise.”

One of my favorite worship songs through the years has been “I Stand in Awe.”  It truly proclaims how I feel when I think of creation, when I think of what God has done, when I consider the stars, the thunder, and the incredible power that God displays throughout the universe.  I stand in awe and in awesome wonder when I think of human life and how our bodies work to provide life one generation after another.  Despite living in a sinful world full of natural disasters, disease, and global change, our God’s sovereignty is truly incredible.

And then to consider what God has done for us through His Son Jesus Christ.  He did not spare his Son but gave him up in order to bear our sin and burden’s on the cross of Calvary.  He bled and died that day to take away our sins.  One day Jesus is coming back with shouts of acclamation to take us home, and that day will truly be a day that we stand in awe and proclaim “My God, how great Thou art!”

You probably recognized some of the words I have used in this week’s meditation.  I have combined the worship song “I Stand in Awe” and the hymn “How Great Thou Art” to proclaim the greatness of God.  And yet as the worship song proclaims, “You are beautiful beyond description, too marvelous for words, too wonderful for comprehension, like nothing ever seen or heard.”  I guess I will just stop trying to describe it and stand in awe of how great God truly is.  I hope that you will stand with me this week and be reminded of our awesome God.