3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
(I Peter 1)
Has it died out yet? That rejoicing you were doing a few weeks ago when we celebrated Resurrection Day? Here Peter was addressing people who had put their faith in Christ years before. They had never seen him, yet their faith in Him was so real they were still overflowing with joy, even though they were enduring suffering for their faith. They had not forgotten. Hope was alive, and they knew they had been born again and they would someday see Him. May time or trials or temptations never be enough to steal or joy. If it has, may we pray like David: "Restore to me the joy of my salvation."
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