Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Monday, May 29, 2017
Listen to “Thoughts in Worship 05.29.2017” on Spreaker.
“This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world” (1 Peter 1:10–13, NLT).
Secrets of Salvation
Can you imagine having a message for people you may never meet, in a time you may never live to see, and so important that even the angels are amazed, and you don’t fully understand? Well, this was the case with the story of salvation given to Old Testament prophets for you and all the generations living from the birth of Christ until His Second Coming. It was a secret too wonderful for them to keep to themselves.
There is immeasurable power in God’s plan of salvation (seems we’ve been talking a lot about this lately). He used frail human beings who also needed this message to deliver it with little understanding of its grand import. It was like a mail carrier delivering a small package marked, “handle with care,” not realizing that in it was a check to cover the costs of life saving surgeries for three children whose families could not afford it and insurance would not cover it. All the mail carrier knew was to be diligent and deliver on time. The outcome could not possibly have been known, except by the sender.
Jesus Saves
Over the centuries, our loving God has been kind enough to pull back the layers of His love and how Jesus’ perfect life and ministry could be effectual to save the most hardened criminals, proud religionists, or others addicted to an array of sinful habits. Heavenly angels who never sinned are amazed at the love and power of God. For even their perfect lives are not valuable enough to cover sins against the law, the transcript of God’s character. And they have the privilege of participating in the work of encouraging, protecting, and ministering to God’s people until He comes.
Now it is up to you to experience the blessing of God’s plans for you, share the message of hope to as many as possible and look forward, with faith, to the day our God will be revealed to us. One day soon God will end all sin and suffering. He will end all hunger, poverty, and disease. He will soon keep His promise and return to take His children to a place wherein dwells only righteousness and peace. I hope you look forward to that day. It’ll be here before you know it
