Focus

As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.

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Read

1 Peter 1:3-9 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen[b] him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

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Reflect

Mercy is at the center of God’s call to us to leave our sinful ways behind in order to welcome the new way of living that is to be found in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. God cares enough for us that God always draws us again and again back to the way of Christ when we stumble and fall away. God never gives up on us for moment. God does not ever look at us as a lost cause. There have been times, looking back on my life, that God never gave up on me, even when I had given up on myself.

Our passage today reminds us that even though we have trials, what is of importance is that our souls will be preserved. God is well aware of our suffering. Sometimes, I imagine God to be like a parent who desires to step in and make everything smoothing sailing for us. A parent has to refrain from doing this since the parent knows there are some problems that will help the child mature. The parent will be there for support, however, the parent has to help the children learn from the child’s own choices.

I had a friend who had been in a wheelchair since childhood. She told me that her mother never allowed her to have “pity parties.” As a result, as an adult she accomplished more than most people. God is with us no matter, whether we feel God’s presence or not.

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Pray

God, during our difficulties and trials, please remind us of how much we are loved. God, sometimes we are worried over present circumstances and wonder if life will ever get better. Open our eyes to see the hope that lies in Jesus Christ. Help us in our faith. Amen.

Go with God!