The Best Possible Time in History

by Nov 22, 2019Easy and Light

The Best Possible Time in History

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

I recently heard a pastor say “We are living in the best possible time.” On first thought, I was sure he was exaggerating. How could this be the best possible time in history? I turn on the news or scroll on Twitter for less than five minutes and I hear about another war, injustice or humanitarian crisis.

Yet as the pastor continued, he explained the reason for such a bold statement. We are living with the cross behind us and the second coming of Jesus in front of us.

The above verses in 1 Peter remind us that, unlike the prophets of the Old Testament, we have the blessing of the full Bible. The prophets longed for the New Covenant, yet they never had a chance to experience it. But, we have the opportunity to live in the New Covenant now.

God, help us this week to keep the joy of our salvation at the forefront of our minds, especially when trials come our way. Remind us that we can lift our heads high and know that we are truly living with the joy of salvation in our hearts.

We also have the Holy Spirit guiding us. And we have Heaven to look forward to.

In his interpretation of 1 Peter 1:10-12 John Piper says “Peter wants us to feel more gratitude and wonder for our salvation because the prophets of God and even the angels of heaven longed to see what we have now experienced through the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

When we are believers in Jesus, we have the deep joy of salvation. That doesn’t mean we are “happy” all the time. Tough things in life will happen – that’s a promise from the Lord. Yet, we have the most reason to be joyful. We have the free gift of salvation.

Paul, who experienced earthly trouble in the form of imprisonment, stoning, a shipwreck and more, understood what it means to rejoice when circumstances are grim.

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” -Philippians 4:4

Paul exuded the joy of his salvation despite coming close to death many times during his missionary journeys.

In 2019, we may be living at a time when it feels like the world is falling apart. Yet, we are living with a truth that can allow us to say we feel joy when our culture tells us to use anything but Jesus to try and feel happy.

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