October 27, 2010

You've Got It Coming!

1 Peter 1:3-9

In his great mercy [God] has given us … an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.
1 Peter 1:3-4

— 

Most of us have a lot of things to thank God for—family, a home, food, clothing, just to name a few. But even if we have less to be thankful for than some people do, there’s one thing that fills us with thanksgiving and hope and great joy: We’ve got an inheritance coming our way!

The great inheritance we read about in our Scripture today is the kingdom of God. There is a kingdom coming—a kingdom of justice and peace and abundant life, a kingdom without pain or sorrow or death. This kingdom will “never perish, spoil or fade.” And there’s a place reserved in it for us!

It’s not that we automatically had a reservation, but God made it possible through his Son, Jesus Christ, for us to receive this inheritance by believing in Jesus’ power to save us. Jesus, the Son of God, came to be one of us and to die in our place so that we won’t have to bear the curse of sin and death.

It’s good to be reminded again and again of our inheritance with all its brilliance and life, for, as Peter points out, sometimes our lives are filled with troubles. And those troubles can cast a shadow on our hope and our joy.

Our Lord is coming with an inheritance to share with us! When he comes, our joy will be deep and never-ending. May these truths lift your spirit and fill you with joy today!

Lord, what a wonderful thing it is to look forward to your kingdom of peace and abundant life. Thank you for reserving a place in it for me. Help me to live for you in hope each day. Amen.

About the author — Harvey Stob

Rev. Harvey Stob and his wife, Audrey, served as missionaries in Argentina for eleven years. They then served churches in Cincinnati, Ohio; Ridgewood, New Jersey; and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Harvey retired from full-time pastoral work in 2009. He and Audrey have three children and seven grandchildren.

Start your day with quick daily devotions.

See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!