Day Two: 2
Peter 3:8-13 Dear friends, don’t let this one
thing escape you: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a
thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay His promise, as some
understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to
come to repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day
the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be
dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these
things are to be destroyed in this way, it is clear what sort of people you
should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for and earnestly desire
the coming of the day of God. The heavens will be on fire and be dissolved
because of it, and the elements will melt with the heat. But based on His
promise, we wait for the new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will
dwell”
LOUIS ZAMPERINI WAS AN OLYMPIC TRACK ATHLETE in the 1936
Olympics at the Berlin games. He was just a young man at the time and was looking forward
to the 1940 games.
But when World War II happened, the 1940 Olympics were canceled, so Louis
signed up for the military.
He joined the fight as a part of the Army Air Forces and flew on a B-24 bomber
over the Pacific Ocean.
In April of 1942, while flying over the
Pacific Ocean looking for a crashed B-24 bomber, his aircraft crashed into the water.
Of the 11 crew members, only three survived, one being Louis.
The stories of Louis’ experiences are found in the best-selling book Unbroken. There the story is told that Louis was stranded in the
Pacific Ocean for 47 days.
When they landed upon the shores of the Marshall Islands, 850 miles away from
where they crashed, only two of the three men were still alive.
Louis ended up a prisoner of war because the island he landed upon was Japanese
occupied territory.
He would be a prisoner of war for three years until the end of the war in
August 1945.
How did Louis survive on the water for
47 days near starvation? How did he survive the beatings, dysentery, and
starvation while a prisoner? His focus was on going home. He dreamed about his
mom’s cooking.
He dreamed about the things he would do when he was free.
His hope was rooted in a future of bliss and blessing.
This is the same hope a believer uses to persevere through the daily trials in
this life.
The hope of the Christian is set firmly in the future realities of the new
heavens and the new earth.
Though there may be present suffering, one day, in God’s future kingdom, it
will end.
Paradise will be restored and sin will be no more. That is how a believer perseveres.
PAUSE AND REFLECT
▷▷Why do you think looking forward to future realities is so
effective at helping through present suffering?
▷▷What difficult times have you faced recently? How did you
handle those times?
▷▷How could focusing on Christ and His
promises have changed the situation?
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