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We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19 ESV
A dark place.
Have you been in a dark place? Are you in one now? Perhaps your faith is more defined by dark than light.
In 2 Peter the Apostle Peter was in a dark place…
A Roman dungeon, chained to a soldier, and soon to die. He had been imprisoned during Roman Emperor Nero’s persecution of Christians. The Apostle Peter – an obvious target – would soon be led outside Rome to a place of execution.
Legend explains Peter’s statement that he wasn’t worthy to be crucified like Jesus, so the Romans crucified him upside down.
That’s a dark place.
Peter’s solution? The prophetic word of the Old Testament, fully confirmed by the resurrection of Jesus could shine in any dark place. He did not despair, quit his faith, or get bitter at other Christians.
Peter saw the light, never quenched, indicating glory still to come.
Paul writes of this glory:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 ESV
There is a strong possibility that Paul and Peter were imprisoned at the same time by Nero, perhaps in the same prison, and both martyred – maybe – on the same day.
Paul was in a dark place too. His thoughts:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV
Peter’s “light” and Paul’s “crown”!
Both made possible by the prophetic word made certain through the physical death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. A hope that gives all of us the possibility, as Paul says, to love His soon appearing.
Paul and Peter in prison together. What they preached about life and death and eternity would be soon experienced by both. I bet there was praise and not frustration in that jail!
A light shining in a dark place.
All of us will despair of life. For ourselves or loved ones. There is light. A crown of righteousness. Peter and Paul focused on eternal hope in their dark places.
I pray that you will too.