1 Peter 1:8 - Joy Like No Other!
1 Peter 1:8 (NIV) 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,
COMMENTARY PEARL
We're watching our youngest son and his
wife prepare for the arrival of their first
child, our sixth grandchild. It's been eleven years
since we've had a newborn in the family. Most
days, I manage my exuberance fairly well. Somedays
I can't. Like today. I found an infographic
that listed more than a dozen ways to affirm and
build confidence in your child without
inadvertently building cockiness. One click, and the
information was sent to my son and daughter-in-law.
As of this writing, I haven't seen their
little girl yet, except in a grainy sonogram image.
At this moment, my son and his wife are
counting down the days until their baby's due to
appear. But that doesn't stop me from staying just
shy of giddy over the idea of holding that
little one to my heart and whisper-singing "Jesus
Loves Me" into her tiny little ears. The sight of
newborn-sized sleepers makes me swoon, and when I pass the
baby section in the store, I have to resist the
urge to pop open the baby lotion and draw a deep
whiff. I love you, little girl. And I haven't even
seen you yet.
The joy is inexpressible. So, I have no
trouble understanding the verse (1 Peter 1:8) saying
that even though we haven't seen Jesus face to
face yet, we feel inexpressible joy at the
thought of Him, His nearness, the "movement" of His
Spirit within, the certainty of His love, and the
promise that well see Him face to face one day.
Even as an expectant Grammie, I can say
there's no joy like Jesus. by Cynthia Ruchti
Faith Step: Write a love letter to the
Jesus whom you have yet to see. Express your
current joy and your anticipation for what's ahead.
[Mornings With Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
COMMENTARY
Proven Faith
Faith is perhaps the most central element
in the Christian life because it is the means
by which we enter into salvation. But thats
only the beginning. From then onward, our faith -
or lack of it - shapes our lives and determines
what happens to us when the winds of adversity
blow. Some Christians never lose their footing
even in hurricane-force winds, but others are
toppled by the slightest gust. To understand why
this is true, we need to examine the source of
our faith.
Inherited faith: If you grew up in a
Christian home, you probably adopted some of the
beliefs of your parents. This kind of godly
foundation is a wonderful gift from the Lord, but
eventually, each person must assume responsibility for
his own beliefs.
Textbook faith: The Bible is the ultimate
guide for establishing our beliefs. But thats
not the only source of influence. Books,
preachers, teachers, and friends all impact our
convictions. Our theology may in fact be sound, but faith
is merely mental acceptance until its put to
the test.
Proven Faith: Only when we trust the Lord
through the fires of adversity will we have faith
that can stand. It is no longer based on what
others have told us or what weve accepted as
true but on our firsthand experience of His
faithfulness.
To evaluate your faith, consider how you
react to adversity. Do you cling to the Lord or
get angry at Him? Is your attitude one of
rejoicing because Hes making you more like His Son,
or are you bitter? No one can escape adversity,
but those with proven faith will benefit from
it. [In Touch Daily Devotional by Charles
Stanley at www.intouch.org] Re 1Pe. 1:3-9
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
I am the resurrection and the life; all
lasting Life emanates from Me. People search for
life in many wrong ways: chasing after fleeting
pleasures, accumulating possessions and wealth, trying
to deny the inevitable effects of aging.
Meanwhile, I freely offer abundant Life to everyone who
turns toward Me. As you come to Me and take My
yoke upon you, I fill you with My very Life. This
is how I choose to live in the world and
accomplish My purposes. This is also how I bless you
with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory. The Joy
is Mine, and the Glory is Mine; but I bestow
them on you as you live in My Presence, inviting
Me to live fully in you. (John 11:25; Mat.
11:28, 29; 1Pe. 1:8, 9) [Jesus Calling by Sarah
Young]
I have done great things for you, so let
Me fill you with Joy. Take ample time to ponder
all I have done for you. Rejoice in My goodness
and My greatness as you remember My marvelous
deeds. Rest in My intimate Presence; relax in My
everlasting arms. I long to fill you with Joy, but you
must collaborate with Me in this process.
Do not be like a spoiled child on
Christmas Day - hastily tearing open all the presents
and then saying, "Is that all?" Every single day
is a precious gift from Me! Search for Me
within the boundaries of this day, and you will
surely find Me. I am present not only in pleasant
things but also in unwanted circumstances. My Joy
is sufficient for all situations, and I adjust
it according to your need. When things are
going your way, My gladness intensifies your
delight. When you encounter hard things, I give you a
deep, bold Joy that clings to Me for help.
Receiving My Joy requires not only time but also
courage. (Psa. 126:3; Deu. 33:27; Jer. 29:13; 1Pe.
1:6-8) [Jesus Today by Sarah Young]
In Me you can discover Joy inexpressible
and full of Glory! You will not find this kind
of pleasure anywhere else; it is available only
in your relationship with Me. So trust Me,
beloved, and walk confidently along your life-path.
As we journey together, you will encounter many
obstacles - some of which are quite painful. Expect
these difficulties each day, and don't let them
throw you off course. Refuse to let adversity keep
you from enjoying Me. In My Presence deep sorrow
can coexist with even deeper Joy.
Your life with Me is an adventure, and
there are always some dangers involved in
adventurous journeys. Ask Me to give you courage so that
you can face your troubles boldly. Keep your
hope fully fastened on Me and on the heavenly
reward that awaits you. Your Joy will expand
astronomically - beyond anything you could possibly imagine
- when you reach your eternal home. There you
will see Me face to Face, and your Joy will know
no bounds! (1Pe. 1:8; 2Co. 6:10; 1Co. 13:12)
[Jesus Always by Sarah Young]
Believing in Me has many beneficial
effects - including Joy that is inexpressible and
filled with Glory! If something is inexpressible,
it is too great and wondrous to be described.
But it can be experienced. So come into My
Presence expectantly; open wide your heart to Me. The
Joy you can have in Me is triumphant and filled
with heaven's Glory. I triumphed over sin and
death once for all time! This opens up the way to
heaven for all who believe in Me.
No matter how many difficulties you face,
the outcome of your faith - the salvation of
your soul - is secure. This is true for all who
really trust Me as Savior-God. As you rejoice in
your glorious heavenly future, let your light
shine before other people. My Spirit, the Spirit
of truth, will help you speak truth into
others' lives. Align yourself with Me, for I came
into the world to testify to the truth. Join Me
in this quest so that people living in darkness
can find Me and walk in My great Light. (1Pe.
1:8, 9; Mat. 5:16; John 18:37; Isa. 9:2) [Jesus
Always by Sarah Young]
I offer you inexpressible and glorious
Joy - straight from heaven itself! This
triumphant, heavenly Joy can be found only in Me. It is
easy to slide, ever so gradually, from delighting
in Me to living for the next spiritual "high."
Sometimes I bless you with a taste of heaven's
splendor, but the primary purpose of these experiences
is to whet your appetite for the next life. Do
not underestimate the brokenness of the world
you inhabit. Your enjoyment of My Presence will
always intermingle with the sorrows of living in
this fallen world - until I take you into Glory.
Someday you will see Me face to Face, but
for now you love Me without having seen Me. You
believe in Me even though you do not see Me. This
love for Me is not irrational or whimsical. It's
a response to My boundless passion for you,
dramatically displayed on the cross and verified by My
resurrection. You worship a risen, living Savior! Blessed
are those who have not seen Me and yet have
believed. (1Pe. 1:8; Psa. 73:23, 24; 1Jo. 4:19; Joh.
20:29) [Jesus Always by Sarah Young]
VIDEO CLIP ON FINDING THIS JOY
http://vimeo.com/31489782
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
1 Peter 1:8 - Joy Like No Other!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170218-1346.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio:
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
