Good morning, and a most blessed Thursday to you as we share this time of devotion together. This morning in God’s Word, I want to share one of the sweetest introductions to a letter found in Scripture. It comes at the very beginning of Peter’s second letter, where—under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit—he writes to those who have received a faith as precious as ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

That is who he is addressing: those who have received a faith as precious as ours. How beautiful that is, and what a wonderful recognition of the value, importance, and sweetness of the faith we have been given in Jesus Christ.

This is how Peter begins his message. After naming those to whom he is writing, he says:

May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Notice that he does not begin with a list of things to do. He does not start with instructions or corrections. Instead, before anything else, he offers a blessing—praying that they would receive grace and peace in abundance. What a wonderful greeting this is.

It is filled with love for those to whom he writes, and it is filled with the beauty of the promise we have in Jesus Christ. As we encounter people—whether through email, social media, text messages, phone calls, or face-to-face—I encourage you to greet them as Peter did. Greet them with love, grace, and peace. For the word he shared, and the grace and precious faith he knew, are the same word, grace, and precious faith that we share today.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Lord, we thank You for the precious gift of faith that You have given us in You. As we encounter others—through whatever means You place before us today and this weekend—let Your words of grace, peace, and mercy be upon our lips. Keep us from charging ahead with business as usual, and instead help us first to greet others with Your love and Your gracious Word.

Lord, keep us healthy, keep us strong, and keep us in Your light, working and living to serve You and to seek Your glory. We lift all of this to You in the holy, precious, and blessed name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I am so looking forward to worshiping with you this weekend. Until then, God bless.

Pastor Malinak