Everything

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4

“EVERYTHING WE NEED.” Really? This is an extraordinary claim.

Most people would agree that in Christ, God has given us everything we need for the faith compartment of our lives. But that is not what Peter is claiming here. He says that in Christ we have not only everything we need for faith but everything we need for centering our lives on God in every area.

As we share in the divine nature as parents, we have the wisdom we need to decide when to say yes and when to say no. We have the resources for patience and kindness when we are under pressure. We have the courage we need for facing the difficult diagnosis. We have the comfort we need in the midst of loss. We have the healing we need for the wounds of our past. We have the strength we need when we are overwhelmed.

Likewise, as our children come to know the one who has called them to share in his divine nature, God gives them everything they need for living a godly life. They have the understanding they need to take hold of the gospel and to live in light of it. They have the fruit of the Spirit beginning to blossom and grow. They have the spiritual resources they need to face ridicule, disappointment, loneliness, changing moods, failure, and rejection as well as success and popularity.

Lord, it is a relief to be reminded that it is not up to me to supply everything ________ needs. I’m simply not up to the task. But you are good enough and powerful enough to give ________ everything needed for living a godly life. Give ________ the faith to take hold of your promises, share in your nature, and thereby escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.