Daily Bible Verses for 4/19/2016

Rejoice in Our Faith – (1st Peter 1:6-9)

Bible Verse
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith-the salvation of your souls.

Reading Notes
Through Jesus we have an unchanging, eternal relationship with God which brings us exuberant joy. A joy that is not based on our physical circumstances; but a joy that comes from knowing that regardless of today we will spend eternity with Christ. A joy which stems from the change in our hearts brought about by our salvation and the security of knowing where we will spend eternity. A supernatural joy, which is given to us as part of the many gifts of our salvation. Moreover, when we go through trials and our faith is tested we emerge out of those trials stronger and more secure because we have proven the genuineness of our faith in Jesus. God is not the author of evil and chaos, however, God can use those trials which come about to build our faith even stronger than it was before the trial. As we remain steadfast in our trust in God, our faith becomes stronger. Without trials, we cannot know the true quality or sincerity of our faith. We know in our lives there will be tribulation and that the trials we go through can be severe.

These trials can include loss of all our worldly possessions, terrible pain, suffering or the loss of loved ones who are very dear to us. All of these things are products of the fallen world we live in. As a result of the fall, chaos, wickedness, disease and death are now common to all of humanity. However, when we see Jesus face to face, we will have more joy and more understanding than is possible while we are here in this fallen world. In addition, we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who is with us always. He will carry us through the trials at hand. He will strengthen us through tribulation, in order that we can remain steadfast in our faith through hardships and loss. The Holy Spirit, will bring us comfort and a joy which defies worldly understanding. So knowing the victory, which Jesus as already won for us, we understand there is nothing in this world that can compare to what awaits us. Moreover, there is no knowledge or understanding we can gain hear in this life, that can surpass what we will know in heaven. When we see Jesus face to face we know that every tear will be wiped away and there will be no more sorrow or pain.