Encouragements for our troubled times No. 44
COVID-19 Series | Date: 21 January 2021
The Elders and Deacons want to encourage the members and those who regularly meet with us through this weekly letter. If you have news which you would be happy to share with the fellowship or request for prayer, then please let us know.
A message from our Pastor
1 Peter 1:5
“Who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
Whilst walking my dog in one of the local parks this week I had a short conversation with another dog walker who I had exchanged the time of day with in the past. She and her husband had been in good health and were enjoying the first years of their retirement. They felt that they had many more years ahead of them to enjoy together. But two months ago, all their plans came crashing down when they both caught COVID and her husband died.
This world is full of uncertainty and we never know what the next day will bring. We can make the best plans for our future but a moment can turn them upside down and bring them all to nothing.
It is, therefore, comforting to know that as one of God’s children our future is certain and assured. We are one of those whom God has begotten again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and we are kept by the power of God for that in which we have a living hope. Our God, who is the Almighty, keeps us. All power in Heaven and earth is His and it is by this same almighty power that He keeps us. We are those who are kept. He retains us for Himself so that we may enjoy Him. By His power, He keeps us as one of His redeemed, as citizens of Heaven and by His Spirit, guides us all the way to Heaven.
Our future is also certain and assured because we are kept through faith for salvation. If our future depended on us, we would have every reason to doubt and fear, but it doesn’t. We are not kept because of anything we have done or will do or can do; we are kept through faith, and faith is not of works lest any man should boast. Neither is our future dependent on any merit found in us for we were predestined to salvation in Christ Jesus before we had done any good or evil. We are kept for salvation through faith in the works and merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, which are perfect and complete; and, therefore, certain and assured.
And, our future is certain and assured because it is ready to be revealed in the last time. God has made all ready for the great revealing of it to us. Everything is prepared. A place in Heaven is reserved for us and all is prepared for our reception. There is no doubt that we shall be received to it. God has determined that we should receive it and has made it all ready for us. We were predestined to it before the foundation of the world.
‘In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will’ (Ephesians 1:11).