The apostle Peter used words like “full”, “great” and “inexpressible” to describe the love of God wrapped up in salvation. When we recognize just how much God loves us we rejoice! God is certainly worthy of all the praise and worship we can give!
Let’s take a look at just what Peter was thinking. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 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.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)
He goes on to say that “you greatly rejoice”. (1 Peter 1:6) God is so good to us that he would not only make a way of salvation but would also keep this salvation on a celestial credit card for the day that we appear before him. Then Peter reminds us that “for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials”. (1 Peter 1:6)
Just like Peter and Paul, we are reminded that even if this life has rough patches, we don’t need to stop rejoicing in the goodness of God. For example, it was from a Roman prison that Paul said, “rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice”. (Philippians 4:4)
Salvation is such a wonderful thing because of who God is. He is in debt to no one but, in mind-boggling love for all of mankind, he met the righteous requirement for eternal life. Isaac Watts wrote the following words to a popular hymn. “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”
Daily each believer is inspired to worship as we consider who God is. Peter continues his thought when he says, “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, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls”. (1 Peter 1:8,9)
One Hebrew word for praise is Halal. It’s found 110 times in the Old Testament and its meaning is to be clamorously foolish. Hallelujah is derived from this word to praise. The Psalmist David used this word in Psalm 22 when he said, “I will tell of Your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise (halal) you”. (Psalm 22:22)
Christians greatly rejoice – Halal – and clamorously praise God for he has been so good. Even if the day that we face brings trials, we are grateful for a loving God who saved us and has given us a future beyond today.
In a lifestyle of worship, we can reasonably worship God for who he is and praise him for his mighty acts of kindness. The one with his focus on God will do so with joy inexpressible and full of glory. We appreciate your Comments