Do you see Him? - Peter’s Letter, Part 1

Do you see Him? 
Peter’s Letter, Part 1
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The Apostle Peter’s first letter was written to “those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen…”[1] Every word of his letter served the purpose of encouraging them to stand strong in the face of the horrific persecution surrounding them.  

As I sat at my table after reading Peter’s letter, the encouragement that surfaced was to see Him.

      To see Him in all His precious magnificence.

      To behold Him through our pain.

      To recognize Him with His loving smile peering through the lattice[2] of our struggles.

      To listen to Him with persevering hope as the prophets who were before us listened to the Spirit.[3]

      To gaze at the sky, squinting for any signs in the sun, moon, and stars foretelling of His return.[4]

      To lift our eyes and throw back our shoulders in confidence, because the culmination of our desire – the Desire of all the nations – Yeshua the Messiah, our Redeemer is near![5]

“…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…”[6]

Do you see Him? Close your eyes and peer. Listen. Look for Him in His word. Ask Him to show you where He is moving in your day. Peter exhorts us – “fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Yeshua Messiah.”[7]

As persecution increases, we work while we wait; but, we MUST also see the Beauty ahead. Soak in the beauty of Him, and you will stand in the evil day. (Ephesians 6:10-18) “I will lift up my eyes to the hills!... My help comes from the Lord Who made heaven and earth!” (see Psalm 121:1-2)

Sing and pray with me from the words of an old hymn by Robert Rowland Roberts, 1925

Far off I see the goal – O Savior, guide me;
I feel my strength is small – be Thou beside me;
With vision ever clear, with love that conquers fear,
and grace to persevere, O Lord, provide me.

Whene’er Thy way seems strange, go Thou before me,
And, lest my heart should change, O Lord, watch o’er me;
But, should my faith prove frail, and I through blindness fail,
O let Thy grace prevail, and still restore me.

Should earthly pleasures wane, and joy forsake me,
and lonely hours of pain at length o’ertake me;
My hand in Thine hold fast till sorrow be o’erpast,
and gentle death at last for heaven awake me.

There, with the ransomed throng who praise forever
the love that made them strong to serve forever,
I, too, would seek Thy face, Thy finished work retrace,
and magnify Thy grace, redeemed forever.

[1] 1 Peter 1:1
[2] Song of Songs 2:8-13
[3] 1 Peter 1:10-12
[4] Luke 21:25-27
[5] Haggai 2:6-7
[6] 1 Peter 1:8
[7] 1 Peter 1:13

The Lifted hands portrait is an Art Card available at Flower Girl Greetings as a 4-pack here and in the Hope Collection here.

Shale Fragments™ - devotionals by Beth Ann Phifer is a division of Flower Girl Greetings, LLC. ©2020, All Rights Reserved.
Blessings and love in Him,
Beth Ann