Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 4-23-20

1 Peter 1:8-12 (TPT)
8 You love him passionately although you did not see him, but through believing in him you are saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory. 9 For you are reaping the harvest of your faith—the full salvation promised you—your souls’ victory!

Overcoming Grace
10 This salvation was the focus of the prophets who prophesied of this outpouring of grace that was destined for you. They made a careful search and investigation of the meaning of their God-given prophecies 11 as they probed into the mysteries of who would fulfill them and the time period when it would all take place. The Spirit of the Anointed One was in them [in the OT prophets] and was pointing prophetically to the sufferings that Christ was destined to suffer and the glories that would be released afterward. 12 God revealed to the prophets that their ministry was not for their own benefit, but for yours [all believers]. And now, you have heard these things from the evangelists [extenders of hope] who preached the gospel to you through the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—the gospel containing wonderful mysteries that even the angels long to get a glimpse of.

In our passage today, Scripture reveals even the angels watch the mysteries of how God is unveiled through those devoted to Him. It really is quite an amazing thing if we, too, are transparent enough to witness to the mysteries of God; if we are willing to see the unveiling of the Spirit’s work in human lives. God takes the hearts of rebels—those who spiritually oppose and rebel against His Love and authority—and makes them lovers of God who long for more of Him. The Lord draws us near to His heart and when he does we are saturated and transformed by His glory. Just being near the Lord spiritually opens us up to see more about His gracious heart for humanity. Each encounter with Him fills us with waves of His indescribable glory. Be an extender of this hope to someone, today.

Prayer: Lord, your love and grace is always on the move in my life. Thank you for overcoming my heart with your Love and working to make me into a lover conformed to your image. Let me be an extender of your redeeming hope to someone who needs to know you, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.