This epistle commences with Apostle Peter stirring up the sincere mind by way of reminding about what they should know and how they should live, in the light of Jesus’ Second Coming and the prophecies surrounding it.  Many in those days and even as now expect and hope in the imminent return of Jesus because of extreme trials and persecution. Scoffers were creating controversy then and now because it has not happened. Peter addresses this concern and closes the letter by reminding us to live godly lives looking steadily to that day so that we will not fall from our own steadfastness.

The word steadfastness means faithful, loyal, constant, resolute; unswerving adherence to a person, thing, oath or promise. The Bible reveals what steadfastness is through the lives of godly people who determined to walk with God at any cost and which today serve as examples for us to follow.

• Isaiah set his face like a stone against all mockery and contempt that came his way in following God. 

  “For the Lord GOD helps Me, therefore, I have set My face like flint” 

  Isaiah 50:7

  
   

• Job in spite of his afflictions never rejected God.

   "My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside”

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  Job 23:11.

  
   

• David after his repentance never wavered in following His ways.

  “For I have kept the ways of the LORD, …And I did not put away His statutes from me.”

  Psalm 18:21-22

  
   

• Joshua resolutely obeyed and followed God and his declaration to serve the Lord with his entire household led to the Israelites also doing the same.

  "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today ….but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

  Joshua 24:15

  
   

• Caleb’s faith in God’s power and might to work on His people’s behalf led God to declare,

  "But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered…...”

  Numbers 14:24

  
   

• Shadrech, Meshach and Abednego purposed to follow God no matter what circumstance they found themselves in.

  "But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

  Daniel 3:18

  
   

• Daniel refused to bow down before the idol.

  "Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, …..he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks …as he had been doing previously."

  Daniel 6:10

  
   

• Apostle Paul

   “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

  1 Corinthians 2:2.

  
   

• Peter and John when released from prison stated,

  "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

  Acts 4:19-20

Finally let us not forget the STEADFAST love of our God towards us- God who gives us life, sustains us, loves us, sent His Son to die for us so that His Holy Spirit can live in us, and with Whom we are going to spend eternity.

May we be steadfast in faith by obeying everything that He has commanded us.  May we like the Apostles be determined in speaking/sharing what we have experienced and believed about the great love of God which paid for our sins to give us hope and eternal life!

Think on:

He who loves the coming of the Lord is not he who affirms that it is far off, nor is it he who says it is near, but rather he who, whether it be far off or near, awaits it with sincere faith, steadfast hope, and fervent love. ~Augustine Of Hippo