The apostle Peter knew Jesus Christ personally. He spent three years with Christ during the course of His ministry. Peter observed first-hand the message and power of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Here are some words that Peter expressed about God’s Word:

“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).

Peter attested to the fact that God’s Word is “completely reliable.” Sometimes we look for contractors to do work on our houses and we prefer to have someone come in who we trust – someone who is knowledgeable and can get the job done. So it is with us. Peter recommended God’s Word as something reliable, something that can minister to us, something that can reveal God’s Word and love us. Peter then encouraged us to pay attention to it – not in a haphazard fashion – but to take it very seriously. Notice the metaphor that he used: “as to a light shining in a dark place.” This is a stunning metaphor because light, even a candle, invokes a sharp contrast when shone in a dark room. It reveals the objects and contour of a room not previously seen in darkness. That is how God’s Word works in the spirit of a Christian. It exposes only those thoughts and behaviors that God is aware of and only God can deal with. The final metaphor in that verse: “until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,” refers to the act of God’s Spirit first indwelling in a new Christian’s spirit. Before a person comes to Christ, there is a spiritual darkness or void in their spirit. But once a person intentionally makes a decision to confess their sin and ask God for forgiveness and subsequently invite God into their spirit, there is spiritual light. God exposes those things in a person’s spirit that no one else can. He does this by enlightening the Christian as they read His Word.