The great prophets of old were used by God to serve us. Let that thought rattle around in your head for a while. Because of God’s grace and love for us, the “Spirit of Christ” (1 Peter 1:11) gave visions of the future regarding the coming of Jesus. The prophets on the Old Testament side of the cross did not fully grasp all they were writing about. But for believers, on the New Testament side of the cross, we have the gracious privilege of seeing words written seven hundred years before Jesus lived on this earth come to fulfillment. The prophets were “serving not themselves” but us.
1 Peter 1:12
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.
The Spirit, who directed the prophets to write about the future coming of Jesus, is the same “Holy Spirit sent from heaven” who works through us today to tell others about Jesus. And he is the same Spirit who sets us apart for obedience to Christ (1 Peter 1:2).
Today let’s thank God for graciously giving us his Word in the past and for the gracious work of the Holy Spirit in the present. The reality of our Living Hope is held in awe and wonder by the angelic hosts of heaven. Peter says that the angels long to look at the things we get to experience every day.
Father, thank you for the work of the Spirit in directing the prophets, placing those before us who shared the Good News, and setting us apart to a Living Hope. Never allow us to take your grace for granted. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I like the face of devotions that you’re doing now and thank you for doing it