1 Peter 1:6-8 (ESV)
[6] In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, [7] so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. [8] Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
We live in a world where many have bought into the lie that money is the solution to the needs of our lives. If we only had enough money we could be happy. If we only had a car that wasn't always breaking down, if we only had that newer, faster smartphone, if we only had … You fill in the blank. We have all fell for the lie. People who can't afford to put food on the table are spending money on lottery tickets somehow believing that they will win and that their winnings will be the answer they are looking for in life. Ask someone, "Have you ever won anything with a lottery ticket?" They'll respond, "Oh yes! I won $20 last month." What did they do with that $20? They bought more lottery tickets. I read an article recently that claimed that almost every individual who has won big in the lottery has had their family and friendships ruined by it and a few years later the money is all gone. We all see the joy of winning. The picture is in the paper, on television and splattered across the internet. What we don't see is what follows.
As believers our hope is not in dollar signs and accumulated stuff. Our hope lasts beyond this life. We may be called on to do without. We may be called on to sacrifice. We may be called on to experience oppression, opposition and outright persecution. Our hope is not in this life. I recently heard the testimony of a missionary who had been held captive by guerillas in Columbia for over 2 years back in the 1990's. Several years later he had the privilege of meeting the man who had ordered his kidnapping. The man had come to faith in Christ, had seen the book about this missionary's life and asked to meet him. There is greater joy in that than there ever can be in money, safety and comfort. Truly our safety is not found in circumstances, but in the God we serve.
I recently had the privilege of visiting a two room, dirt floored home in Peru where sewage flowed in the ditch in front of their house. The smiles on their faces as they shared the beauty of their first-born with us reminded me that joy is not found in sterile heated and air-conditioned environments. It is found in recognizing the gifts God has granted us and trusting the sovereign grace of God who will one day bring us to his home where he has a mansion prepared for us. "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory."
Father, forgive me for my failure to walk in faith. I confess that I too often complain about conditions that others would consider a blessing. I too often fail to live with eternity in view. I too often live as though money and stuff are what life is about. Thank you for your gracious faithfulness. Today may I walk by faith.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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