READING: Jeremiah 38, 39, 52; 1 Peter 2
I’m glad God is still in the process of conforming me to the image of His Son (Rom 8:29), because I’m hardly there. Some days I think I’ve acted more like Jesus in some ways, but many other days I learn again how much work God must still do in me. I’m impatient and impulsive. I’m prideful. I can be inattentive and seemingly uncaring. I have so far to go . . . .
Then, I read today how Jesus responded to others, and I see again that distance. Peter reminds his readers they were to respond just like Jesus did when they suffered unjustly. They were to follow in His steps: “. . . when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly” (1 Pet 2:23). How easy it is for me (perhaps, for us) to retaliate verbally when insulted, to get defensive when accused, and to threaten in turn when I’ve been threatened. I too often respond in emotion in ways not pleasing to God.
So, I say it again: I’m glad God’s still changing me! His patient, transforming grace truly is amazing.
PRAYER: “Lord, thank You for not giving up on me—and for changing me day by day.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Kings 24-25, 2 Chronicles 36, Psalm 126, 1 Peter 3
