Check out all the previous Joy readings here.
Joy Reading Plan | Day 5
Prayer
As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Thank God that he has forgiven you of all your sins and you can live for Him in freedom today!
Bible Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
.Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 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 end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Reflection & Questions
These verses were written by the Apostle Peter to Christians around the world at the time. Persecution had broken out in Jerusalem, scattering the Christians to various corners and Peter’s letter was written to encourage them.
Again, as we have seen this week in all our readings, joy is a central theme to Peter’s encouragement. Their joy is very important to him. He says that he sees that they “greatly rejoice” and they are “filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” This is in spite of the fact that they “have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.”
How can these Christians be experiencing joy? This week we have seen various ways that joy is found in God in spite of our circumstances. Spending time in His presence. Remaining with Jesus through thick and thin. Rooting ourselves in God’s identity as all powerful and as savior.
And today, we see Peter emphasizes truths about our future. He says God “in his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”
There is joy for the Christian, because by faith, we know our current trials and circumstances are just temporary. In what will feel like no time once it comes, we will step in heaven. We can have joy now, because we know there is full joy to come. Like kids counting down the days to Christmas, we can have joy in anticipation of being with the Lord, not for a week, or a month, but for eternity!
- What words does Peter use to describe our future and how secure it is? What word or phrase sticks out to you in particular?
- How often do you think about heaven? How can you make heaven more a part of your vision to draw joy and strength for today?
Prayer
Pray in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
