Revealed Glory

Daily Reading: 1 Peter 4-5

Scripture Focus: ...as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed. (1 Peter 5.1)

Devotional Thought: Have you ever thought you knew what was going on, only to have it turn out that you didn't have a clue? It's worse when you add speech to your thoughts! I've done that more times than I care to admit. In 1 Peter, the apostle reminds us that we are "partaker[s] in the glory that is going to be revealed..." We just don't know the whole story.

In a practical sense, what does that mean?

· First, we need to remember that we are not privy to all the workings of God in someone else's life. There is a partial revelation of a hidden glory. God has a glorious plan, and is at work in others' lives. Instead of judging, celebrate the journey so far, and patiently await the unveiling of God's plan in their future.

· Then, we need to personally live today with tomorrow in mind. We don't want to short circuit our futures. Tomorrow may be – no, probably will be - different - from today. I had a friend who told me once, "I don't buy the car I need today. I buy the one I need tomorrow." In other words, a two-seater may be fine for a newly married couple, but if they are planning on having a child soon they better get a sedan.

· And of course, we need to live today with eternity in view. This world is not our final home. We are heirs of eternity. We need to live today in such a way as to partake of his divine glory forever.

As God reveals his glory, may you partake of it!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the unfolding of your divine plan. Thank you that you have included me and those I love as partakers of the glory to be revealed. Help me to remember that I don't have the full story just yet, but to live with the end in mind. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 60.6-12

6 God has spoken in his holiness: “With exultation I will divide up Shechem and portion out the Vale of Succoth. 7 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet; Judah is my scepter. 8 Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

9 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? 10 Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go forth, O God, with our armies. 11 Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! 12 With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.