Joy Unspeakable

Daily Reading: 1 Peter 1

Scripture Focus: 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. (1 Peter 1.8-9)

Devotional Thought: When Jesus first appeared to the apostles after his resurrection, Thomas was not there. He stated emphatically, "Unless I see... I will never believe" (John 20.25). A week later, Jesus appeared before them again, and Thomas was there. That convinced him! But, Jesus had a different take on it: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20.29). Peter was there on both occasions, and it made a deep impression on him. Years later, he wrote these words to second generation Christians - who had been saved after Jesus' ascension into heaven: "Though you have not seen him, you love him" (1 Peter 1.8). In these two verses, Peter reminds us...

That love is able to overcome any obstacle. Just like us, those early Christians had never seen Jesus face-to-face. Yet, they were willing to give him their devotion and allegiance. When new life is given to us through the forgiveness of sins, our love knows no bounds!

That faith is more powerful than sight. Skepticism says, "Show me and I'll believe it." God says, "Believe it and I'll show you." The Bible is full of stories of those who believed God without seeing it with their own eyes. Those are the ones who obtained the promise.

That joy can exceed our ability to describe. You've heard the expression, "It just doesn't get any better than this." Usually, that is an overstatement. But, with Jesus we obtain the salvation of our souls, and it literally doesn't get any better than that. I am reminded of the old hymn: "It is joy unspeakable and full of glory! Oh, the half has never yet been told!"

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for your undefeatable love! Thank you for the faith to believe, even when I can't see. Thank you for sending your Spirit to speak to me. I love you, I believe in you, and I rejoice in my salvation. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 59.1-9

1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me; 2 deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men.

3 For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord, 4 for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Awake, come to meet me, and see! 5 You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel. Rouse yourself to punish all the nations; spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah

6 Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city. 7 There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips— for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?”

8 But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision. 9 O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress.