The Morning Star Rises in Your Hearts

2 Peter 1:19 And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will
do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 

In my past I have been offered what some would call “sage advice.” This advice
sometimes came in the form of stories of how something something similar to what I was
considering did not worked well for the person offering the advice. I am probably batting
in the low 300’s for following “sage advice.” And that means I am batting in the high
600’s for having interesting experiences.

When being offered advice there are a couple of criteria that should be used as filters for
accepting, and then acting on advice being given. The first criteria would be to look
carefully at the person offering the advice. For instance accepting advice on your
marriage from a person that is not married, or has been divorced seven times, seems risky
at best. This would fall in line with doing an objective review of the advice. The second
criteria would be “does the advice ring true?” This second criteria is more subjective in
nature. And since it is subjective in nature, there is an element of uncertainty which
usually requires more investigation before rendering a decision.
The author of 2 Peter 1:19 (Peter) is one of the original disciples. His advice is to pay
attention to the prophetic word much as you would to a lamp shining in a dark place.
Using our criteria we have the person who is giving the advice being highly credible.
Peter has an experience base with not paying attention to the prophetic word from Jesus.
Remember Matthew 26:34 when Jesus predicted Peter would deny Him three times
before the rooster crows? We also know from Matthew 26:75 that Peter remembered the
prophetic words of Jesus after denying Him three times. He learned how important it was
to pay attention. The second criteria can be used to evaluate “” We can look at Psalms
119:105 and find the justification we seek. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to
my path.” I conclusion, we would do well to pay attention to those words from Peter
because the advice also rings true.

PRAYER: Father we thank You for Your Word. Our world is a dark place. We
desperately seek a guiding light. Your Word stands out, just as a lamp brings light to the
darkness. Your word gives us a light for our path that we may follow You. We give You
thanks in the name of Your Son, Jesus, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit are one
God, now and forever, Amen.