My devotional guide, Exploring
the New Testament, is taking me through faster than I might go otherwise.
Today it pops me from Hebrews into 1 Peter, but not with regret. The following
verses have a memory attached. We heard them read in a church by a Scottish
preacher nearly 40 years ago, yet I hear his wonderful voice every time I read
them. I also hear the promises of Jesus . . .
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:3–9)
People make fun of what the Bible says, yet this is God
speaking through His servant and reminding those who read these words what He
has done and will do for them.
The past is new life through faith in Christ. For all who
have it, there is assurance for the present and certainty for the future. This
is not blah, blah, blah but the God of the universe talking. My hope is not in
an old book but in the promises of Almighty God.
He will bestow on me, His child, an inheritance made
available through the death of His Son. It is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for me by the
power of God. There is no greater power so the keeping of this incredible
inheritance is a sure and certain thing, not pie-in-the-sky or ‘hope so’ faith.
Right now, the trials of life put my faith to the test.
Like Job’s experiences, will this faith (also a gift from God) stand the tests?
God says it will. It is more precious than gold and will be there, now and when
I at last see Jesus face to face.
Some think that the outcome of faith is having God do
everything I want Him to do. This is error. His will is far superior to my
I-wants. Friday’s events demonstrated that. I was overlooked in the triage
line-up at the ER, but because of it was in the right place at the right time
to pray for another patient in far worse shape than I was. God let me see her lift
her face and call out to Jesus as I prayed. After that, the nursing station
realized they forgot me and I was taken to see a doctor, but not before the
other patient got what she needed. It was deeply satisfying to see God’s will
in the delay and in how He answered our prayers.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Jesus, I cannot see You, at least not with my eyes, but I
love You. You fill me with joy even in trouble and assure me, even in troubles,
that You are with me and care more than I can imagine. One day I will leave
this place and be with You forever and ever. That is Your promise to those who
believe in You, and there is no doubt that You, the God of glory, keep Your
promises.
Today’s thankful list . . .
- the precious reminders of Scripture that affirm what I know
in my heart.
- answered prayer.
- a call from a friend who shared another answer to our
prayers.
- a long nap.
- my head is slowly clearing.
- energy to make supper.
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