“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.” (1 Pet. 1:3-5) [Are we hearing and understanding this: we are shielded (to mount guard as a sentry, figuratively, to hem in, protect) by God’s power!] “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.” (1 Pet. 1:6-7) [Every one of us as Christian always HAVE SOMETHING where we may seriously rejoice. Great rejoicing has more than an inward calmness and peacefulness of mind; it will show itself in our expression and our conduct, but especially in praise and gratitude!] “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.” (1 Pet. 1:8-9) [As faithful Christian we are daily receiving the salvation of our souls; salvation is a permanent article, begun in this life, not interrupted by death, and CONTINUED TO ALL ETERNITY!] “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you…It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves BUT YOU, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have PREACHED THE GOSPEL TO YOU BY THE HOLY SPIRIT SENT FROM HEAVEN. EVEN ANGELS LONG TO LOOK INTO THESE THINGS.” (1 Pet. 1:10-12) [These prophets were extremely pleased and blessed with the prophecies of mercy to be shown both to Jews and Gentiles at the coming of Christ!] “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, SET YOUR HOPE ON THE GRACE to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” (1 Pet. 1:13)
Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that:
THE ANGELS LONG TO LOOK INTO THESE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR US!
-Bill Stockham