“HIS DIVINE POWER HAS GRANTED TO US ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO LIFE AND GODLINESS.”
— 2 Peter 1:3
By the time Peter wrote his second letter, he could see the finish line of his life. He knew his time was up. The one who caught fish at Jesus’ command, heard him teach, witnessed his miracles, denied Jesus three times, was restored on a beach, and preached at Pentecost now wrote a final letter to remind the church of what he knew so well. After his opening greeting and blessing, these were his first words:
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.
God is the greatest giver who knows your needs before you even ask. If you truly need it for life and godliness he will provide it.
Notice the source of God’s provision is his divine power. God is all powerful and therefore has an unlimited ability to meet your needs. He doesn’t depend on your job, your health, your intelligence, your investments, your retirement account – nothing! God’s provision comes from God’s power.
We forget that for God the supernatural is natural. He knows none of the limits of earth. Storms and markets and downturns and tariffs don’t effect his ability to provide for you. He’s the King of heaven.
Remember the water from a rock and the manna from heaven. Remember the cake for Elijah in the desert and the oil for the widow of Zarephath that never ran out. Remember the water turned into the best wine at the wedding of Cana. Remember the catch of fish that broke the disciples’ nets. Remember the five loaves and two fish that fed five thousand and the seven loaves and a few small fish that fed four thousand. Remember his divine power.
What you need most has already been promised. He gives all things that pertain to life and godliness. If you don’t have it now, you don’t need it yet. If you think you need it now, ask him. God is a good Father who loves to give good things to those who ask.
It’s likely Peter wrote this letter during a time of persecution. He himself was facing death. And even then, when life is hardest, the clouds are darkest, and death is close at hand, God’s provision is still enough for us. In trials we often grasp for answers. We want to know when it will be over and that all will be okay. We reach for things like comfort and control, security and certainty. We look for an explanation of why this is happening to us. Perhaps, Peter felt all those things leading up to his martyrdom. But he also knew in his bones and wanted to remind the church that God hasn’t failed. Instead His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.
Not even death can destroy God’s abundance for he’s already made provision for our eternal life in his son Jesus Christ. Believe that, believer, and you are invincible.
© John Rinehart 2025