Saturday, May 2, 2009
1 Peter 1:8-9 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 goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
I REMEMBER HIS JOY
I was visiting a little nursing home in Midwestern America. The pastor of a local church would come once a week to preach and lead the residents in worship. Down the halls they would wheel themselves to gather and to listen and to sing.
There was one particular gentleman there that I can't forget. His face has long faded from my memory. What I remember is the sound of his voice. He didn't articulate well, but the feeling expressed in his moaning was pure. Genuine. Heartwarming to the core.
How can I know that you say? He only cooed and awed when the Good News of Jesus was spoken. Not when the name Jesus was said, but when the actual Good News of sins forgiven through Christ was expressed by the preacher.
Oh, how I wish I could go back and here that voice again. That man put into voice what his heart felt -- inexpressible and glorious joy. He was receiving the goal of his faith. He was in Jesus' hand, and Jesus had even sent this preacher to remind him of that fact. His soul was secure. His salvation was certain.
We have not seen Jesus, but we love Him. And we believe in Him. Let us NEVER be ashamed to express our joy in Christ Jesus -- our great Savior. Our King. Our Friend. Our Shepherd. Our Lamb. Our forgiveness. Our life eternal. Our ever patient and merciful God.
