Daily Encouragementنموونە

“In this you greatly rejoice . . . .” In what? In a word, in God’s mercy. “Mercy,” says Alan Stibbs, “is a word specially used in the New Testament of God’s kindness in bringing in the outsider and the unworthy . . . to share in His salvation.” That mercy has provided a salvation including a new birth, a living hope and “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you” (verses 3-4). This salvation is a present possession, although its full and final manifestation is still to come - “ready to be revealed in the last time” (verse 5).

Since the ground of Christian rejoicing lies “in this” that rejoicing is largely independent of circumstances. Peter knew that those to whom he was writing were going through many trials, probably suffering persecution. Yet he had confidence that they would be rejoicing. This joy, so characteristic of New Testament Christianity, seemed to thrive on hardship. Flogged and flung into prison, they still sang hymns at midnight. In the Macedonian churches “the most severe trial” coupled with “extreme poverty” produced “overflowing joy” (2 Cor. 8:1-2).

Blessed are those who rejoice “in this” today while the sun is shining; then tomorrow, when the storm clouds gather, they will still rejoice “with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”