If
you have never stopped to see the Swinging Bridge in Souris, Manitoba,
you should add it to your list of things to do. I like it. Others do
not. It feels wobbly. It bounces up and down. I have seen people in
the middle of the bridge holding on and screaming because it feels too
unstable. Of course, there is nothing to fear. The bridge has huge
anchors at each end and is secured by steel cables, but sometimes, our
feelings make us forget the facts.
Peter knows that his readers
are about to face some scary situations. He does not want their
feelings to obscure everything else, so he outlines three truths they
need to remember.
First, their hope is greater
than their troubles. “For a little while, you may have had to suffer
grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of
greater worth than gold… may be proved genuine and result in praise,
glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6-7). Notice
the little-to-big thought pattern. A little bit of trouble now pays
off in a great reward at the end of time. Paul echoes this when he
writes, “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an
eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Second, their faith is
greater than their sight. We like to think we know what is going on.
That is not true! God is at work in ways we do not yet see or
understand. Faith is a powerful force. “Though you have not seen him
(Jesus), you love him; and though you do not see him now, you believe in
him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (verse 8 ). The goal is to “Walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Lastly, their joy is greater
than their circumstances. He recalls their rejoicing (verse 6), then
states that they have an “inexpressible and glorious joy” because they
are saved (verses 8-9). This joy is not based on circumstances.
Happiness is about what is happening. Joy can exist even in difficult
circumstances.
Life can feel wobbly.
Thankfully, we are anchored in God’s love and care.
“Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!” (Hebrews 10:35, NLT)
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