Joy Deeper than Circumstances - Your Nightly Prayer - December 19th
Your Nightly Prayer
Audio By Carbonatix
By Lindsey Callahan, Crosswalk.com
Joy Deeper than Circumstances
Your Nightly Prayer
By Lindsey Callahan
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." - 1 Peter 1:8
SOMETHING TO PONDER
When Peter wrote the words in tonight’s verse, he was sending them to Christians who were forced to flee their homes and scattered throughout the Roman empire. These early believers were facing extreme persecution for their faith in Jesus. In fact, Peter himself would soon be executed during this time.
Knowing the background of when these words were written makes me appreciate them all the more. The excitement these suffering saints must have felt when they held a letter from Peter.
Peter - the one person mentioned in the gospels more than anyone else, second only to Christ. This was the man who witnessed Jesus transfigured in glory on a mountain. The one who received a personal visitation from a resurrected Jesus. Not to mention that Jesus Himself gave Peter a new name. Can you imagine if Jesus named you? That definitely will give you credibility among just about any audience!
A letter from him mattered to the Christians receiving it. I imagine them holding it tightly, reading over every single word, looking for every ounce of hope in their extreme circumstances.
In the verses prior to tonight’s scripture, Peter reminds them that Christians are pilgrims on our way to something better; we are just passing through. Our inheritance is actually in heaven.
Peter had the privilege of walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Jesus on earth for three years, and at the time of this writing, is living life without seeing his Savior and friend. The longing he must have felt for the day he could see Jesus' face-to-face again in heaven.
His words encourage us today, in this Christmas season, that Jesus is the reward. When we look to the day that our faith is made sight and we too see Jesus face-to-face, that produces an inexpressible and glorious joy right now!
Tonight, remember what the author of Hebrews writes, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Like Peter and these early Christians, let us not gaze at our temporary circumstances. May we allow them to produce in us a deep joy as we turn our attention heavenward and to our eternal home in the presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Father,
In the words of Peter, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” We praise You for sending Your only Son to earth to die a gruesome death that we deserve, so that we can live with You in eternity! Help us to see this life and all its problems as our temporary home. I give you permission to redirect my attention to Jesus when I start to stare at my difficult circumstances. I believe in You, Jesus. Grow in me an inexpressible and glorious joy that ministers to You and to those around me. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Are the difficulties in my life today producing in me a deeper relationship with Jesus and ultimately growing an inexpressible and glorious joy?
2. Am I staring at my problems too much and not fixing my eyes on Jesus? Which one am I magnifying with my attention?
3. If I’m honest, which inheritance am I most excited about, the one in heaven that I can’t see or the one on earth that could provide a little comfort and cushion?
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Simon Lehmann
Lindsey Callahan is a wife, girl mom, writer, and speaker whose story reflects God’s grace and redemption. After nearly two decades in the television news industry, she felt the Lord calling her to step away and serve in pregnancy help ministry. Once a self-described “career girl” who believed children stood in the way of her dreams, Lindsey experienced a true heart change. Now, she knows that children are a heritage from the Lord, a reward from Him (Psalm 127:3), and she’s passionate about helping others see new life as a precious gift, straight from the hand of God.
Now that you've prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below!
