TO CHEW ON: "… who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:5
It's easy to trust in God's keeping power when times are good. But when we get sick, or suffer setbacks in business, or go through heart-breaking times with our kids, or have all we own ripped away from us by fire, tornado or mudslide, or any number of other trials, can we trust that God is still there? Is He still keeping us?
Peter here reminds the "pilgrims of the Dispersion"—mostly Gentile Christians living in various parts of Asia Minor who are experiencing persecution because of their obedience to Christ—that even through their trials they are being "kept."
["Kept—phroureo is "a military term picturing a sentry standing guard as protection against the enemy. We are in spiritual combat but God's power and peace (Philippians 4:7) are our sentinels and protectors" - Dick Mills, Word Wealth, New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 1763.]
But we have our part to play in this keeping. For it is "through faith." And this keeping will not necessarily mean a return to how things were before the trial, but in ultimate salvation, completely accomplished and understood "in the last time."
If your faith is old, seasoned and experienced, a wealth of memories reminding you of how God has kept you in the past will buttress your faith now. If you're new to faith, you may want to spend time reading stories of Bible characters and biographies of modern Christ followers. The way God kept them through trials will build faith in God's creativity and faithfulness for your life.
PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for keeping me in the past and continuing to do so. Please help me to grow in faith as I experience your keeping power. Amen.
PSALM TO PRAY: Psalm 33
The Bible Project VIDEO: 1 Peter (Read Scripture Series)
MORE: Reading list
Some Bible characters to read about:
- Joseph - Genesis 37, 39-47.
- Hannah - 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11.
- Ruth - Bible book of Ruth.
- Esther - Bible book of Esther.
- Daniel - Daniel 1-3, 6.
- Nehemiah - Bible book of Nehemiah.
Some faith-building biographies (links are to my reviews of these books):
- Appointment in Jerusalem - Lydia & Derek Prince
- Journey on the Hard Side of Miracles - Dr. Steven Stiles.
- Gray Matter - Joel Kilpatrick & David Levy.
- Kabul 24 - Henry O. Arnold & Ben Pearson
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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
