Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Peter 1:8 

“And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,” – 1 Peter 1:8       

This Epistle from Peter was addressed to those who were scattered abroad throughout the land.  They were scattered throughout, based on 1 Peter 1:1, “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.  They were not around where Jesus had been, and therefore they never had the opportunity to see Him directly.  Peter blessed the God and Father of Jesus, who by His great mercy caused them all whom he was speaking to be saved by the sacrifice of His Son and His resurrection from the dead.  He continues, “to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:4-7.

They were told of this great salvation that was provided to them by the death, burial and resurrection of someone they had never seen or probably heard of as well.  However, their hearts were open to the words spoken to them and they accepted this is reality and became followers of Christ through the disciples that brought them the message.  This reminds us of what Jesus spoke to Thomas after revealing Himself to him.  “After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said,  Peace be with you. Then He *said to Thomas, Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing. Thomas answered and said to Him, My Lord and my God!  Jesus said to him, Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” John 20:26-29  Notice what Jesus said.  ‘Blessed are those who do not see, and yet believed.”  Those that Peter was speaking to had not seen Him, yet they believed because they knew He was with them, inside.  They loved Him because they believed.  Note what Peter specified. “and though you do not see Him now”.  He was telling them they would one day see Him, and they ‘greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.

This is our testimony as well.  We have not seen Him with our eyes, but we have seen Him with our heart and our faith.  He has revealed Himself to us in ways this world does not understand, because they choose not to.  But we know He is real.  And we will one day see Him, with our eyes in all His glory.  I will say that I look forward to this time more than anything else. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.