When Peter wrote the words in tonight’s verse, he was addressing believers who had been forced to flee their homes and scattered throughout the Roman Empire. These early Christians were facing intense persecution because of their faith in Jesus. In fact, Peter himself would soon be executed during this same period.
Understanding the context of this letter makes Peter’s words all the more powerful. Imagine the excitement and encouragement these suffering believers felt as they held a letter written by Peter.
Peter—the disciple mentioned more than any other in the Gospels, second only to Christ. He witnessed Jesus transfigured in glory on the mountain. He received a personal visit from the resurrected Savior. And he was even given a new name by Jesus Himself. A letter from Peter carried deep weight and credibility.
I picture these believers holding the letter carefully, reading every word slowly, searching for hope in the midst of fear, loss, and uncertainty.
In the verses leading up to tonight’s Scripture, Peter reminds them that followers of Christ are pilgrims—temporary residents on earth with a far greater inheritance waiting in heaven. This world is not our final home.
Peter knew this truth intimately. He had walked with Jesus for three years, shoulder to shoulder. Now he was living without seeing his beloved Savior, longing for the day he would see Him face to face again. And yet, even in that absence, Peter speaks of a joy that is inexpressible and glorious.
This joy is not rooted in comfort, safety, or ease. It flows from hope—hope that one day our faith will become sight.
Especially during this Christmas season, Peter’s words remind us that Jesus Himself is the reward. When we fix our eyes on the day we will see Him face to face, that future hope produces real joy in the present.
The writer of Hebrews echoes this encouragement:
“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 the early church, we are invited to resist focusing solely on our temporary circumstances. Instead, we lift our gaze heavenward. As we do, even hardship can deepen our joy—because our hearts are anchored in our eternal home and our eternal Savior, Jesus Christ.
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
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 death we deserved, so that we may live with You forever. Help me remember that this life and its struggles are temporary. I give You permission to redirect my attention to Jesus when I begin to fixate on difficult circumstances. I believe in You, Jesus. Grow in me an inexpressible and glorious joy that brings honor to You and encouragement to those around me.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
-
Are the difficulties in my life producing a deeper relationship with Jesus and cultivating an inexpressible and glorious joy?
-
Am I magnifying my problems more than I am fixing my eyes on Jesus? What currently has my attention?
-
If I’m honest, which inheritance excites me more—the eternal one in heaven that I cannot yet see, or the temporary comforts of this world?
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Episode Transcript
Life Audio.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Thank you for tuning in to your nightly Prayer, a
podcast designed to help you rest and connect with your
Father in heaven as the day ends. God is ready
to meet you in this moment of peace. As you
settle into sleep. After this short word from our sponsor,
we'll encounter tonight's devotional joy Deeper than Circumstances, written by
(00:30):
Lindsay Callahan and read by your host, Brooke McLoughlin. Tonight's scripture,
though you have not seen him, you love him, And
even though you do not see him now, you believe
(00:52):
in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
First Peter one eight 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
(01:14):
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,
(01:37):
second only to Christ. This was the man who witnessed
Jesus transfigured in glory on a mountain, 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
(01:58):
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
(02:19):
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.
(02:44):
The longing he must have had, 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
(03:06):
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 perfector of faith. Like Peter
and these early Christians, let us not gaze at our
(03:28):
temporary circumstances. May we allow them to produce in us
a deep joy as we turn our attention heavenward into
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.
(03:51):
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 Anchither, 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
(04:13):
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.
Number one are the difficulties in my life today producing
in me a deeper relationship with Jesus and ultimately growing
(04:38):
an inexpressible and glorious joy. Two Am I staring at
my problems too much and not fixing my eyes on Jesus?
Which one am I magnifying with my attention? And Number three,
if I'm honest, which inheritance am I'm most excited about?
The one in heaven that I can't see are the
(05:00):
one on earth that can provide a little comfort and cushion.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
Thank you for listening to your nightly Prayer, a production
of the Life Audio Network. If you found comfort and
inspiration in Tonight's prayer, be sure to follow and subscribe
on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow
Today so you never miss a moment of peace and
reflection to end your day.
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