1 Peter 1:3-9 (NRSV)
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Verse 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, Verse 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, Verse 5who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Verse 6In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, Verse 7so that the genuineness of your faith-being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Verse 8Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, Verse 9for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Devotion
A young father witnessed the birth of his son. He was so involved and excited that he failed to notice his son was not breathing. He watched the tiny body become limp and blue. Nurses scurried as the doctor shouted orders. Finally the doctor cleared mucus from the little throat, placed his lips around the baby’s, and forced his own breath into the tiny lungs. The very air that kept the doctor alive, he gave up and breathed into the struggling infant. Without it, the boy would have died. A cry came from the delivery room — a cry of faith.
Faith is not something we hoard for fear that we will not receive more from God. Faith must be shared. Faith must move out from us into a hurting, struggling, dying world.
Prayer
Living God, make me an instrument of your life-giving Breath. Amen.