Steadfast Day 9: 2 Peter 2:4-10

Read 2 Peter 2:4-10.

Ponder

As a student of Scripture, you’ve likely come to recognize one of the recurring themes: God’s certain judgment upon the wicked. There are many aspects to God’s character. He is loving, patient and kind. He is the giver of every good gift (James 1:17). But he is also our holy and righteous judge who doesn’t just know right from wrong but determines it. 

In today’s passage, Peter reminded his readers of three different instances in history when God had judged the wicked. The point? To remind the people that God’s character hasn’t changed. His character is unchanging and pursuing what he has declared is wrong will end in judgment. 

Peter listed three instances of God’s judgment from history: the “sons of God” in Genesis 6:1-4, which Jewish tradition understood as angels usurping a role God had not intended for them; the unfaithful generation that led to the flood that destroyed the earth in Noah’s time; and the immorality of Sodom and Gomorrah. While some of what Peter mentioned here is a bit unclear and hard to understand, his meaning isn’t. If God judges these unfaithful ones, he will be faithful to judge false teachers. 

But the message Peter wanted the early church to understand goes even deeper than that. Yes, God is faithful to judge the wicked, but he is also faithful to preserve the righteous, with Noah and Lot being the prime examples in this case. In situations where evil dominated, God empowered these men, and Peter wanted the early church to understand that God would empower and preserve them, too, even as they weathered the deception and lies of false teachers. 

Peter’s message to his recipients, then, was not one of condemnation, but a call to remember God’s strength rather than rely on their own. Lies, deception, flattery—the false teachers were using every tactic at their disposal in their drive for more, but instead of getting mired and confused in the chaos of it all, Peter called his readers to look above the mess and focus on the character of God. 

Remember who he is. 

Remember what he has done. 

Rest in the character of an unchanging God who can do infinitely more than you can ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20). 

When the world feels chaotic and it seems like evil is winning, it’s easy to lose hope and focus. But rather than letting circumstances, lies and passions lead us away from God and into sin, the invitation Peter extended his readers and us in these verses is to lean into God. He is faithful and sure, righteous and good, wise and loving—and he will preserve those who seek him in times of trouble and trial. 

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Journal

• In tough seasons or trials, why is it sometimes hard to trust that God is faithful or even cares? 

• How have you experienced God’s provision in times of trial? How have you seen him preserve the faithful people in your life or church? 

• When life feels full of trouble and chaotic, it’s not easy to lift your eyes above the circumstances. What are some practical ways you can choose to trust God even when it feels like life is too hard or out of control? 

• Who in your life is in a season of trial and needs help lifting their eyes above the circumstances? How can you gently point them toward Christ today?