As I was doing some devotional reading
yesterday, I was struck by these words from the Apostle Peter: Though
you have not seen Him (the Lord), 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, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your
souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9.
How is it that Peter can write with such confidence? Why can he be so sure that his readers are filled with such a trusting
faith in Jesus?
The explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles' Creed
in Luther's Small Catechism reminds us that I cannot by my own reason
or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy
Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified
and kept me in the true faith.
The Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts and gives us the
saving knowledge of Jesus as Lord and Savior. With this faith we can
trust Jesus for forgiveness and salvation, rejoice in our new life of faith and
find comfort in our Lord in all the seasons of our lives. With the help
of the Spirit, we believe in our Savior even though we do not see Him!
The psalmist Asaph speaks to this same kind of faith.
In Psalm 77, Asaph complains about the difficulties of his life and the lives of his people. They have suffered so much and, without any relief, Asaph is beginning to wonder if God has
forgotten about him.
But then Asaph begins to meditate on God's Word. He
remembers God's mighty deeds. He recalls God's gracious help and
deliverance when the people were freed from bondage. He writes in 77:19 - Your
path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, though
Your footprints were not seen.
Faith enables us to know that God is with us even when our
eyes can't see Him. His Word assures us that God will never leave us nor
forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Today, offer thanks to the Holy Spirit who
empowers you to know and trust Almighty God even when you
can't see Him.
