Shepherds 3

1 Peter 1:7-9

The great evangelist Billy Graham once said, “I have never seen the wind. I have seen the effects of the wind, but I have never seen the wind.”

The wind is not something we can see with our own eyes. We can see the results of it, and therefore we know it exists.

The same is true of our faith in Jesus Christ. Peter is talking about the trials and struggles of faith. Why do believers experience these trials? What emotion do we have even though we have not actually seen our Savior? What is the goal of our faith?

Faith is confidence in things left unseen. Although we have not actually seen the person of Jesus, we have faith in him. Most of us who believe have seen the evidence of Jesus in the lives of others, in the stirring of our own hearts, in the joy we have in knowing of our salvation.

Our trials and tribulations should not weaken or defeat our faith, but should refine it, perfect it. The struggles of life should strengthen our faith and build up our reliance on God.

And this should bring us joy. We should have joy in knowing God is with us, starting with the birth of His Son, our Savior. And part of that joy is knowing that Jesus was given to us as a way to achieve eternal salvation, eternal life with God.

Now, we should share that joy and the opportunity for joy with others. Christmas is more than a celebration of God’s gift; it is an opportunity to invite others to know the glorious and life-giving joy of our faith in Christ.

This is a gift to you. This is a gift to others that you can bring to them.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Who do you know who needs to see and experience joy with you?

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