Real Joy in Tough Times: And So Much More

1 Peter 1:8

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.

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and 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 1:6-9).

What gives you such complete joy that you find it hard to express?

Does a walk along the beach as the sun rises or sets bring you that kind of joy? I love an early morning walk on the beach but then when I think of the devastation a hurricane can do to the shoreline, joyful thoughts can grow sad. Does the presence of your children and grandchildren with you during the holidays bring you that kind of joy? It does for me! But it’s inevitable that someone gets unhappy, hangry, or exhausted, and then we can all get a little frazzled! Let’s try one more. Does the cool breeze on an autumn afternoon bring relaxation and joy to you? It does for me and then but eventually that cool breeze turns to bitter cold and I head for the indoors!

There are a lot of circumstances in life that bring joy but there is only one thing that brings lasting joy and that is the “salvation of our souls.” God’s salvation never tires, never wains and never fizzles. Maybe that is why the Apostle Peter in I Peter 1:6 - 9 twice uses the phrase “you greatly rejoice.” Twice Peter wants us to know that there is one matter only that gives a lasting joy that causes us to greatly rejoice - our salvation. And according to I Peter 1:9 that kind of joy is “joy inexpressible.”

Let that sink in for a few minutes. Our salvation is so lasting, so enduring, and so refreshing that the joy it brings is actually difficult to express. Does this salvation exclude us from trials? Clearly not, according to vs. 6, “even though now for a little while you have been distressed by various trials.” Salvation does not negate trials and suffering. But salvation endures through trials and suffering and that causes us to “greatly rejoice.” Consider for a moment what salvation means. 

We are Forgiven

It means that every sin is placed under the blood of Christ, never to be brought back up again. We are forgiven of every sin: past, present, and future.

We are Adopted

We are adopted into the family of God. God becomes our Father and other believers become our brothers and sisters in Christ. Salvation gives us a new family. 

We are Indwelt

God’s Holy Spirit comes to dwell inside of us eternally. He takes up residence in our heart, never to leave or forsake us. 

We can Trust

We can trust God with our everyday happenings. As the hymn writer says, “He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own”.

We are assured Heaven

One day we will spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven. We have a permanent reservation there and it can never be canceled. 

And So Much More

These things are nowhere near an exhaustive list. In fact, I encourage you to read Ephesians 1 and learn about many other blessings of our salvation. But for today, I think you get the idea. 

For the Christ follower, the days in which we live will bring temporary moments of joy that can fade as our circumstances change. But God’s salvation is cause for us to “greatly rejoice” because it is permanent, lasting and will never lose its power to bless. 

I have an assignment for you to consider. Would you take a pen and paper out and begin listing all that it means to be saved? I think you will discover a joy that is inexpressible! 

Now let me say one other word. If you do not know Jesus personally and intimately, would you email me at david@davidsmithministry.com so I can share more about God's amazing grace and how it provides the mechanism to be saved?