Good morning,
One of the wonderful benefits of being in God’s family is that he has given us a book to read that has no mistakes. Not only that, God actually wants us to read all the pages he wrote, including the last pages, so that we would have a good idea of why we were given life to begin with. God tells us that his master plan for his family is to set us free from our slavery to sin and self control, to give us eternal life in his eternal kingdom and to give us great expectations to look forward to as we go through the challenges of life here on earth. The Apostle Peter, who was a real pro at living a challenging life, has some wonderful advise for those of us who are born again, holy children, who really do want to obey our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. He tells us that we have a priceless inheritance that is waiting for us when we get home that is being protected by God himself.(1Pet.1:3-5) Then he tells us why we get this priceless inheritance when we get home. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.(v.6) We like the first part of this promise, but the last part sends a cold chill down our spines. You see, we have been trained by our sin nature and have many enemies, that the word trials spells pain, and we have no idea how that can be a good thing in any of our lives.
What God wants us to understand is how trials and pain can be such an important part of his love based plan for his children. Doesn’t God have a daily and a hourly plan for each of our lives? Doesn’t God know how to test us without destroying us in the process? Doesn’t God want us to be living examples of God’s forgiveness, his power to save us, and his ability to change our hearts from self centered individuals to loving examples of the God we have come to trust and serve? You see, These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold–though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.(v.7) Religion is all about talking what we think that we know, but genuine faith is living, So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.(v.7) What God needs and longs for in us is that we will live and teach and keep on trusting him in the face of what is impossible for those who choose to live in rebellion to their Creator God. While the Enemy tries to get us to demand proof, we learn that, 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.
(v.8) And the best part of all, the greatest expectation we could ever look forward to, is The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.(v.9) Dear Lord, please keep us looking up and looking forward to all that you have for those who genuinely love you, trust you and obey you.
1 Peter 1:6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.
Roy Wisner
