"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, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:8,9).

If ever there was a Scripture to bring our priorities into focus it is found in I Peter 1:8,9.  It is a picture of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  So many things will come to pass when we cross over to the other side but in the meantime we are designed to thoroughly enjoy our relationship with Jesus here on earth. This passage also describes the temporal and eternal blessings of the "abundant life" promised by Jesus in John 10:10. Our ultimate goal and intentional focus is that of our own salvation and those whom we have opportunity to influence for Jesus.
 
When we view the breathtaking oceanic scenes along the cliffwalk and tour the mansions in Newport, Rhode Island Brooksyne has often said, "I wonder if Newport is a foretaste of the sights that will be commonly viewed in heaven." A great old hymn of the church majestically states in the 4th stanza:


We consider heaven and perhaps visualize mansions, streets of gold, a crystal clear river and other incredible scenes as described in the Bible. But I believe the hymn correctly expresses that the main focus in heaven, as it should be on earth, is that we will be loving Jesus.

Peter had seen the Lord and walked with Him during His earthly ministry. In his final recorded personal encounter with the Lord three times he heard Christ ask him, "Do you love me?" Three times Peter responded, "Lord, You know that I love you."

Now Peter writes to early Christians with a certainty that they loved the Lord, "You love Him." Unlike Peter, but so like us, these early believers had never seen the Lord and were presently living in a state of faith not sight, "even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him."

This belief results in being, "filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Today amidst all the stuff and distractions of life wherever you live I encourage you to consider this verse, which is such a key to living the abundant life. Read it, perhaps aloud, as if the great apostle were speaking directly to you and rejoice deep within your spirit! "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, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: "Lord, it seems that the things we touch with our hands and the people we physically see with our eyes are the major focus of our day. Our daily plans can obscure the presence of the Mighty One who desires to be at the very heart of all that we do and say.  This day we express our love for you. Would You, through the power of Your Holy Spirit, speak directly to our hearts and reveal Your spiritual presence in the midst of our activities this day.  May we be filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy as we rely upon Your promises.  And, Lord, may our major goal today and everyday, be the salvation of those we meet in our various spheres of influence.  In Jesus' Name, Amen."

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