Welcome!
Today: Inexpressible Joy from an invisible God!
Passage: 1 Peter 1
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 goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1, NIV84) –emphasis added
Peter has been with Jesus during the earthly ministry of Jesus
But these believers that he is addressing, had not seen Jesus physically
So Peter is commending the love and faith of these people, towards Jesus
Even as they were going through severe trials, they were rejoicing in Christ, whom they had not even seen physically!
There are different types of religions in the world. Some of them worship a “God” they can see. So they have an idol or a picture infront of them
Some others worship a God who is invisible, and they don’t have a picture or an idol, but the worship is one-way. They don’t have an interaction with that God
Then there are those who worship an invisible God, but they do experience that God, talking/interacting with Him. In Jesus we see a God who came seeking man. Even when we are busy with our own things, God who has enough time for us
In the garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve sinned, God came down looking for them. Then God himself clothed them with skin of an animal. An animal was sacrificed. That is the love with which He loves us.
In the garden of Gethsemane, we see Jesus, God who took the form of man, offering Himself as a sacrifice so that He could cover you and me with His grace
Once we have this Jesus in us, we also get in Him; we become part of His body
27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col 1, NIV)- emphasis added
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor 5, NIV)- emphasis added
Christ wants to fill us entirely, from inside to outside. He wants us to hide in him, submerge in Him completely. He wants to keep us under His wings
When we speak to God in prayer, He speaks to us through His word, spirit and mind. He speaks to us in various ways. He prepares things for us ahead of time. He knows what we need, more than what we want.
There are many families in India where the husband is in the middle-east and the wife in India. They meet once in a year or so, but they keep the love and faith in each other. Faithfulness is the key. They keep their relationship warm, through constant communication, wherever possible. Then they eagerly wait for the next time they could be together again
Can we love God and have faith in Him, more than we love our phone/gadgets?
Have a blessed day!
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your grace and mercy. Even though I don’t see you face to face, one day I am going to see you in person; that very thought excites me and fills me with great Joy. Thank you Lord, for loving me. Amen
“God’s choice is to be in you, with you and cover you; what’s your choice?”