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- Oct 26, 2007
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You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 NLT
Today’s scripture illustrates the book of Hebrews’ definition of faith: “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (11:1). Peter, who’d seen, heard, and touched Jesus, commended all who had not enjoyed that privilege but still believed. Peter’s original audience, Jewish believers scattered by persecution, would receive the ultimate goal of their faith: total salvation. So will we.
We will also, like those first-century Christians, “even though you have to endure many trials for a little while (1 Peter 1:6). Some trials (like cancer, tornadoes, and crabgrass) come just from living in a broken world. But as followers of Jesus, we’ll face more specific challenges too—opposition from those who hate our Lord and the exclusivity of His message.
The old Boy Scout motto apples to us: Be Prepared. Scripture has given us fair warning of the troubles we’ll face, so pray and commit yourself to faith in Christ no matter what. You can’t lose. As Peter wrote, “and we have a priceless inheritance--an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.” (1 Peter 1:4-5)
Prayer: Lord, I thank You for Your promise to see me through.
Today’s scripture illustrates the book of Hebrews’ definition of faith: “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (11:1). Peter, who’d seen, heard, and touched Jesus, commended all who had not enjoyed that privilege but still believed. Peter’s original audience, Jewish believers scattered by persecution, would receive the ultimate goal of their faith: total salvation. So will we.
We will also, like those first-century Christians, “even though you have to endure many trials for a little while (1 Peter 1:6). Some trials (like cancer, tornadoes, and crabgrass) come just from living in a broken world. But as followers of Jesus, we’ll face more specific challenges too—opposition from those who hate our Lord and the exclusivity of His message.
The old Boy Scout motto apples to us: Be Prepared. Scripture has given us fair warning of the troubles we’ll face, so pray and commit yourself to faith in Christ no matter what. You can’t lose. As Peter wrote, “and we have a priceless inheritance--an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.” (1 Peter 1:4-5)
Prayer: Lord, I thank You for Your promise to see me through.
