1 Peter 1:6-9 Rejoice – “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.”
“In this you rejoice…” In what? In the fact that God “caused us to be born again to a living hope…”cr.v3
Even though I have sickness and trials right now, my faith in you will sustain me. The trials test the “genuineness of my faith” and when tested bring “peace, glory and honor” to God when “Jesus is revealed”. When I find joy in my suffering others will see Jesus in me, my living hope. When I live what I know, that my inheritance is secure, it is much easier to deal with the tough stuff. Knowing that there is a Light at the end of my tunnel of misery brings joy to my soul. The Bible calls this the “peace that passes understanding”. (Philippians 4:7)
Is this true of me? “though I have not seen him I love him. Though I do not now see him, I believe in him and rejoice with joy…” This is living by faith.
The evidence of my salvation and my faith is proclaimed when I live by faith. This “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”(Hebrews 11:1)
Prayer: Father help me to live out my faith in such a way that Jesus is revealed through me. Thank you for “causing me to be born again” into your family and with an inheritance such as this!