THE LORD KNOWS HOW TO DELIVER!

" . . .then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment." (NASB).

Peter did not want false prophets to come–nor does any godly person–but he knew it was going to happen. Therefore, he holds the Divine perspective of the situation before the people. Although circumstances may seem impossible and hopeless, "the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation." We know this by affirmation and by example (Lot). He can "rescue the godly from trial" (NRSV). This is a most comforting thought! Well did the Psalmist say, "But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him" (Psa 4:3). He delivers the righteous "out of all their troubles" (Psa 34:17). When in them, therefore, the righteous must "wait patiently" for the Lord! Deliverance is on the way. Even though it seems improbable, the Lord "knows how" to rescue them. Who could ever have conceived of Lot being rescued from Sodom? But the Lord knew how to do it, and did it!

It is a principle of the heavenly Kingdom that God will NOT allow us to be seized by uncommon temptations, or those bringing stress beyond what we are able to bear (1 Cor 10:13). That situation presumes deliverance, or rescue. It comes, we are told, in the form of a "way of escape"–like that of Lot from Sodom. Those who teach an impersonal, or merely academic view of spiritual life, rob the people of this perspective. In all of its aspects, whether initial salvation or deliverance from temptation, the hand of the Lord is upon His people. Overwhelming odds against us are only a delusion. He that is in us is greater than he that is the world (1 John 4:4).

God also knows how to "reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment" (NKJV). They may appear to be in the majority, and to dominate now–but they are "reserved . . . under punishment;" i.e., it is just a matter of time until they will be punished. Literally, they are "under punishment awaiting judgment." Not only is this true of those in this world, it is also true of the unseen world. Demons, for example, know there is a coming "time" when they will be tormented (Matt 8:29). The rich man of whom Jesus spoke in Luke 16, was reserved until the day of judgment (v 24).

God knows how to deliver the godly from temptation. He also knows how to reserve the ungodly for punishment. Our role is to know that, count on it, and look with great anticipation for it.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You in Jesus' name that the deliverance of the righteous and the reservation of the unrighteous are in Your hands.

-- MONDAY: ABSTINENCE --