November 27: Of God-Begotten Transformations

Daniel 4:1-37

2 Peter 1:1-21

Psalm 119:97-112

Proverbs 28:17-18

In the Old and New Testament readings today, two people who seem as different as chalk and cheese.  Nebuchadnezzar, earthly king and conqueror, builder of the majestic city of Babylon who answered to no one; and Peter, modestly successful fisherman, arrogant coward.  

Yet today we read the former abandon his arrogance and his gods, and confess God's existence and nature, declaring Him God the Most High, honoring and glorifying "Him who lives forever".  And we read the depth of the arrogant, uneducated fisherman's insight when he writes of faith, goodness, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love.  Peter?  Self control, from the man who cut off the servant's ear?  Perseverance from the man who could not stay the course that terrible night till the rooster crowed?

Two people, so different, coming from and heading toward different places, yet both transformed, and brought to the same place, the same conclusion about the existence and sovereignty of our God.  How?  Not by their own hand, but by God's.  And no, it wasn't easy.

But think of this: the same God who knew what it would take, and how long it would take, to change Nebuchadnezzar's heart so he would glorify God, and Peter's heart so he would be ready and willing to put aside "the tent of this body" - that God is the God who knows us as well, knows what we need in order to turn to Him the same way.  The God who called both those men to holiness calls us to the same thing as well.  And He's willing to do whatever it takes.

If you are like me, you will have days of frustration, despair and hopelessness even.  You wonder why.  You wonder what the point of it all is.  You wonder whether or not it is worth going on.  A job, perhaps.  Or being a parent.  Or a spouse.  Or even trying to be a Christian.  Where do we find the how?

Thankfully, Peter is pretty straight up with us. In verses 2-4, he makes it clear.  First, he reassures us that the grace and peace that we sometimes struggle to find can be ours - and IN ABUNDANCE! - if we get to know God and Jesus our Lord.  And he even tells us how God's divine power has given us everything - EVERYTHING! - we need for a godly life, not a helpless, hopeless one.  

Father, when we struggle, remind us that if you could change, and cared enough to change, both Nebuchadnezzar and Peter, then you care enough to change us as well, and will do whatever it takes to call us to holiness.  Then, when we struggle through the transformation You ordained, help us to get to know You, and to receive the grace and peace You promised came with the relationship.