Literature Ministries International


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September 26, 2023

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GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES

"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4

When we built our house a block from the ocean in Ormond-by-the-Sea, Florida, the builder had a "Standard Code" enforced by the county. Our house had to be constructed to withstand the rain and winds from a hurricane up to 150 mph. From past experience, the code was established so builders would not side step strong reinforcements of steel and concrete to secure homes from future hurricanes. This is a benefit for all, and is reassuring when you are in one of these devastating storms.

When you become a believer, God does not leave us to fight the storms of life alone, but has provided the resources of His grace to be our strength and foundation. We are His "purchased possession" and given the privilege of abiding "under the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91). God has "given unto us exceeding great and precious promises" which meet every need we will ever encounter. They are the steel girders, the cement reinforcement, and "standard code," by which we can stand safe and secure against the furious encounters of Satan to defeat us. We must understand these promises are made available to us, but must be "appropriated by faith" in order to make them a reality in our lives.

God's promises are like a "life preserver" and the "lifeboat" on a ship. They are provided for our safety and security in case of an emergency, but they are of no use unless we appropriate them for our safety and security. The verse says..."by these" (that is, the promises of God)if we by faith "APPROPRIATE" them and in unwavering trust make them our own, we will "begin" to grow in grace and be "partakers of the divine nature." This is not "our" doing, but the ministry of the Holy Spirit within us. He awakens us to our need, reveals God's promises to us, then encourages us to exercise believing faith in Christ. God makes them a reality in our life. These promises are not to be "museum pieces," but foundational stones of strength, security, and a blessed refuge from the onslaught of satanic powers and the difficult encounters of life.

God wants us to be "partakers of the divine nature." You might say, "What does that mean?" It means, God wants us to be "Christ-like" in the whole of our life, "having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." Peter gives us an insight in this. He says of our adorning, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" (1 Peter 3:3). God wants us to be clothed with the "virtues of Christ"...with the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self control).

I often hear people say, and sincerely mean it..."God bless you"...to which I reply, "He will if I let Him!" This is so applicable to these "exceeding great and precious promises." Claim what God has provided for you...open your heart to the leading of the Holy Spirit...respond in believing faith...and know the joy of being "conformed to the image of His Son."

© 2007 by Ed Powell. Used by permission.


This page was reprinted by permission from: http://www.litmin.org/dare.php?date=2023-09-26


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