Wednesday 11 April, 2018

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

This book starts with a reminder of some awesome truths. This passage reminds the people who received this letter from Peter that they were chosen long ago by God and that He knows them well. It also notes that each one has received a magnificent inheritance – one that cannot be damaged or stolen from them. Then it reminds them that they are being watched over and protected by God. The passage then encourages them to get God’s picture of the future and to see their trials in that context – that they refine and purify faith and that they will not last forever.

We need to look at life like Peter did – to remember each day that God has a plan, that He chose me to have a role in that plan, that He knows me and likes me and protects me, that there will be trials but we need to appreciate how they can refine our faith and character and how we need to look for what God is doing during trials – to talk to Him, to stay in contact, to be curious about the plan and how I fit into it and to build up my trust in Him.

The Passion Translation gives verse 8-9 as:

8 You love him passionately although you did not see him, but through believing in him you are saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory. 9 For you are reaping the harvest of your faith—the full salvation promised you—your souls’ victory!

The victory of your soul – could that be building that connection with God that helps us to see His plan and to appreciate how the He leads us to grow into all He made us to be?

Dear Lord thank You for this beautiful view of how we can live life more connected with You. Help us to remember to do it.

Written by Therese Manning