What do you feel when you imagine living forever with God? Overwhelming joy should flood your heart. It all started with what God did for you. Just thinking of that amazing gift should be a reason for expectant elation! We have a special place in eternity waiting for us! Our inheritance is priceless. We cannot buy our way into heaven. Jesus is the one who paid the price for us.
This passage is helpful as we all have trials and struggles. We are never promised a life on earth without trials. In fact, it is how we respond to trials that sets us apart. Do we let them get us down? Do we look for the lesson? I try to stay positive and never let negative things get me down. I am not always successful, but that is my intent. I try to help others keep a positive attitude, but it isn’t always easy. Sometimes it is impossible, and I only make the situation worse.
That’s where faith comes into play. We also have faith. Some people seem to be more faithful than others. Why is that? What’s key is to stay strong and faithful despite our circumstances. One way to do this is to always remember what God has done. Verse 5 says, “And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.” It looks like faith is a good thing to have. We are protected through our faith–what a promise!
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Confidence in God shouldn’t be hard even though we cannot see him. We know what he has promised, yet it is hard to trust something we cannot see, feel or touch. It seems that our faith grows as we stand strong in the face of adversity and trial. Like fire purifies gold, our faith is purified when we endure the storm.
As our faith matures and we begin to trust God more, our lives will manifest praise, honor and glory to our Savior. It all seems to be woven together so beautifully. Jesus died for us so that we can hope for our salvation. With that hope comes amazing joy and a realization the best is yet to come. We can use this hope and joy to our benefit when trial comes, because they will. Trials then work to grow our faith and the circle is complete.
When our time comes to claim our inheritance, our heavenly home, we, too, will receive praise, honor, and glory if we remain faithful. We have so much to look forward to in the life to come. Eternity awaits! As we cling to the promise, our faith grows so that we are able to praise, honor and give glory to our Father. After all, he is so deserving!
Is your faith being sharpened by a trial? How are you responding?
Take a moment to reflect and find your joy.
Let’s pray. Father God, I come to you with joy in my heart and gratitude for what you have done for me. I stand amazed at your faithfulness despite my weakness. Help me find strength amidst this storm I am in. I know you are there watching and protecting. May my faith continue to grow as I wait for that final day. You are preparing something magnificent for me. May I implement your plans for me as you intend. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
