"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 the apostle Peter can write with such confidence? How is it that he can be so sure that his readers are filled with a trusting faith in Christ Jesus?
The explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles' Creed in Luther's 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 my Savior and Lord. 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 don't see Him.
The psalmist Asaph, in Psalm 77, speaks of this same kind of faith. In the psalm, Asaph complains about the difficulties of his life and the lives of his people. He and they have suffered so much and without any relief so he 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 verse 19: "Your path led though 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. God is with you.is
