This Day in History: 0000-06-21

June 21 – 1 Peter 1: 3-7 

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance – an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.  And through your faith, God is protecting you by His power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 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.  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. 

Are we living with “great expectation?”  Has the truth of our salvation reached all the way into our souls and permeated our whole selves? I pray it has, and if it hasn’t, I pray it does today!

We have been born again because of the great mercy of our Lord, so let’s praise Him!  He rescued us from sin for all eternity, and He has secured a place for us forever in His Kingdom.  A place that cannot be defiled. It is a place of purity, and nothing will ever ruin it. Not ever!  

Not only that, but we ourselves are being protected by the power of the Lord God Almighty! Sure, we have to face trials here on this earth. In fact, the Bible tells us we will face many trials. But each of those difficult circumstances are being used by our gracious God to refine us. To purify us the way a fire purifies gold. One day we will emerge on the other side, shinning jewels in the hands of our Adonai.  

Just think of it! One day, we will stand before Jesus Christ, having emerged safe and whole from the flames of the Refiner’s Fire. Along with all of mankind, we will stand in His presence, only to bow with all the rest proclaiming, “Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!” As His judgement falls, many will be cast away, but we who have remained faithful will remain. Elohim will look upon us and proclaim, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” He will welcome us into the eternal home He prepared, and there we will forever be His most precious treasures!