2 Peter 1:16-21 (NRSV)
Read 2 Peter 1:16-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 16For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. Verse 17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." Verse 18We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
Verse 19So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Verse 20First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, Verse 21because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Devotion
“Men and women, moved by the Holy Spirit, spoke from God.”
Today, February 2 (the Presentation of Our Lord), we are reminded of two people, moved by the Holy Spirit, who spoke from God. Anna and Simeon praised God when they saw the baby Jesus in the temple. Through the Holy Spirit Simeon said, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many” (Luke 2:34).
In our day and age people seem free to invent their own “cleverly devised myths,” taking bits and pieces of religious ideas from here and there according to what suits their fancy. Our faith, however, is bound to God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ, and to Scripture as faithful witness to that revelation. Through the witness of Anna and Simeon and Peter and others, the Holy Spirit directs our hearts and minds to place our faith for life and salvation in Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Gracious God, I thank you for the witness of Anna and Simeon and Peter and countless others who have pointed me to Christ. Amen.