Bible Pathway - Dec. 17, 2011
Read 1 Peter 1
Highlights:
Comfort and reassurance in the trial (testing) of your faith (I Pet. chap. 1). Ye have obeyed the Truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned (genuine) love of the brethren . . . Being born again . . . by the Word of God (1:22-23; comp. James 1:18).
Frequently we find ourselves in circumstances beyond our ability to find a solution; and often (intuitively), we begin to inquire of God as to HOW He will help us. How will He guide us in our present perplexity?
Our natural reaction is to question HOW— one way or another — the Most High can see our need and supply it. Sometimes we're confident that God will provide in a certain way or through a particular person. But, on other occasions, we don't see any way possible HOW the Almighty can undertake for the needs that face us — even though we are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. He tells us to greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations (all the problems we face): That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (I Pet. 1:5-7).
Our fears are turned to faith when we exchange HOW for WHO. Our assurance comes in knowing WHO hears and answers our prayers. Since God is the One who controls the outcome, we can depend wholly upon Him who knows what is best. Therefore, it need not concern us HOW He will help us.
Recall the Word in Isaiah 55:8-9 in which the Almighty assures us: For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. Actually, God always has the best plan for our lives, and it is beyond our imagination or understanding. He is not limited to our thoughts and ways, and we should not allow ourselves to limit the Creator. It is never a question of how but of trusting the All-Powerful One.
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby (I Pet. 2:1-2). Peter was led to remind us that the spiritual nourishment of the Word is essential if we are to live as obedient children (1:14). Our desire to know the Bible in order to do the Lord's will is always in our very best interest. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the Truth through the Spirit (1:22) explains how one's surrender to the Lord's authority and the power of His Word transforms lives. Peter describes Christians as a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (I Pet. 2:5).
Thought for Today:
As for God, His way is perfect: the Word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him (Ps. 18:30).
Cross References:
For I Pet. 1:16: See Lev. 11:44-45. I Pet. 1:24-25: See Is. 40:6-8. I Pet. 2:6-7: See Is. 28:16; Ps. 118:22. I Pet. 2:22: See Is. 53:9. I Pet. 2:24-25: See Is. 53:4-6,12.
Word Studies:
1:17 sojourning, temporarily residing; 2:2 sincere, perfect, pure, without a mixture; 2:4 disallowed, rejected; 2:19 thankworthy, acceptable, something for which we should give thanks.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Country: Kazakhstan (15.4 million) central Asia • Major languages: Kazakh and Russian • Religious tolerance • 47% Muslim (largely Sunni); 25% Russian Orthodox; 2% Lutheran; 2% Catholic; 2.3% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Glory in the Lord. He is Victor over Satan (Zech. 3:2).
Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Corinthians 13:2
