1 Peter 1:3-7 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Dear God, I think it is always important for us to remember the lesson from Job–out life circumstances have little to do with youth favor or disfavor. In fact, since going through Job, I have stopped using the phrase “blessed” when talking about if I am doing well or if something good happens for me. The truth is, if something good happens I don’t know if it is part of your design or not. You are the giver of all good gifts, true, but your definition of a good gift and my definition of a good gift are probably different, so I should be careful about ascribing things to you. I think it gives others a bad example as they try to work out their own faith and separate your favor from their life circumstances. 

I had someone that I’ve only known for a couple of days tell me something kind about me and my disposition. She even remarked on my voice. I was flattered, but it made me wonder if, in the two days I have known her and her husband, have I used enough opportunities to let them know that anything good flowing OUT of me comes from you? If I am going to be experiencing something like the trip my wife and I are on, am I doing enough to reveal your power and glory to those around me?

Father, Peter talks about our final reward. Help me to embrace more and more the idea that you are there for us, you are good, and I can believe that regardless of what is happening around me. Help me to also be there for my wife. Help me to be the husband and friend she needs me to be. Use me on this trip not in isolation, but as part of the couple that you have made us to be. We are not your ambassadors as individuals, but also as two people who are one. Help us to live that out.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen