On June 24, a building in Surfside, Florida, collapsed in the middle of the night. In an instant the lives of many people were changed. Many died. Some escaped from parts of the building still standing. Multiple families suffered devastating losses.
On Wednesday, July 8, about two weeks after the building collapsed, the search through the rubble changed from a rescue effort (looking for anyone still alive) to a recovery effort (finding the bodies of the victims). Fire authorities said that there was now “no chance of life.”
As I read the heart-breaking words from the officials and rescue workers, I was reminded of the phrase …. “like a thief in the night.” For many living in that high-rise condo, death truly came like a thief in the night.
Peter’s second letter ends with a discussion of “The Day of the LORD,” which is where the phrase “thief in the night” is found.
Peter tells his listeners that there will always be scoffers about the Lord’s return. There will always be people who willfully argue that Christ is not coming back, and that those who hope in such things are fools. These scoffers live according to their own desires.
Peter reminds; however, about how fast things can change. Long ago God changed the face of the earth in a day when the floods during Noah’s time came. With the LORD, Peter says, one day is like a thousand years. He reminds us that God is delaying His return because He is patient and does not want any to perish.
But, Peter says, the Day of the LORD “will come,” and it will come without warning. [3:10]
And for those of us who wait … “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.” [3:11b-12a HCSB]
If it is not clear, Peter goes on to define what he means by “holy conduct and godliness.” Tomorrow.