God’s Promises are a sure thing . . .

 

I’m finding it hard to think about heaven with so many challenges of life right now. Family Reunion plans are tangled by crazy unreasonable prices in the venue we hoped for. A family member is making bad choices. The news in the world is almost all bad and distressful. However, God encourages me. Some problems have options that His will allows, and others are covered by His promises even if they stay as they are. This is His Word today:

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. (1 Peter 1:3–7)

This was written when Christians would not worship the emperor or be involved in pagan practices so were suspicious and discredited. Peter wanted to encourage them to live in faith during persecution, just as Jesus had done when He suffered unjustly:

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:21–23)

My inheritance is “reserved” meaning it already exists, is protected now and forever. It is in heaven where “neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal” and where “nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” This is the safest possible place.

The part that encourages me is that not only is my inheritance protected, but I am also protected for it. The power of God is continually protecting me until His work is fully accomplished in my life. Then I will be glorified in the fullness of this salvation He graciously gave me.

PRAY: I’m thankful to You Jesus, for You protect me from sin and death and keep me in Your care no matter what happens. I’m not enjoying some of the unpleasant events of life, yet they are a moment compared to the everlasting glory of being with You for eternity. Help me smile at the size of my God rather than frown at the size of my problems.

PONDER: Romans 8:31–39; Philippians 1:6; and Jude 24 and praise God for the security that is mine in Jesus Christ.

 

 

Power under control

The news declares the latest move by nations who are trying to take over other nations, people groups that are determined to have what other groups have, power-hungry people who want to inherit the earth. Their efforts will not get them what they crave.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)

What is meekness? Some Bible versions translate it as ‘gentle’ with the idea of humility and non-retaliation. This word was used to describe a gentle breeze, a soothing medicine, or a tame horse, examples of power under control. A gentle breeze brings pleasure, but a hurricane brings destruction; a soothing medicine brings healing, but an overdose can kill; a tamed horse is useful, but a wild horse is dangerous. Jesus Christ is the best human example. He said:

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:29)

He is described as “being in the form of God, (but) did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6–8) And in His meekness, “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” (1 Corinthians 10:26) He could have taken it by force but did not. He choose meekness.

Christ rode into Jerusalem astride a donkey rather than a stallion like others who conquered enemies. He “suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats” (1 Peter 2:21–23).

But He was not weak or cowardly. He never defended Himself, but when His Father’s house was being desecrated, He made a whip and beat those who were defiling it Jesus boldly pronounced judgment on unrepentant sinners, never compromised His integrity, never disobeyed His Father’s will. When the Jewish religious leaders expected commendation, He condemned them and called them children of the devil (John 8:44). They retaliated by having Him crucified. His power was always under control; theirs wasn’t.

Jesus, I’ve never desired to ‘inherit the earth’ but I do desire to be like You. This beatitude requires faith, trusting You to take care of those who are contrary to Your will and determined to eradicate from the face of the planet those who are meek like You. Every day, hundreds of Christ-followers are put to death, often in horrible ways, yet those guilty of such persecution do not realize that they are putting them off this sin-sick place into Your eternal presence and perfection. Even in death, meekness wins — just as it did when You died for the sin of the world and rose again to eternal life. Meekness requires humility. Forgive my pride that pops up far too often. Enable me to allow the Spirit of meekness to rule my thoughts, words, and actions.

ADD THIS: Read Proverbs 16:32; Ephesians 4:1–2; Colossians 3:12; and Titus 3:1–2 to see what meekness looks like. Remember that this virtue comes only through the power of God!