Temporary Residents

Meditation
1 Peter 1:1,2—Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: To the temporary residents dispersed in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
 
Did you know that the best view a Christian can adopt is that of viewing life on earth as a fleeting journey?  People who cling to a need for permanence here are set up for a multitude of disappointments: the toxic reality of depravity, disasters, decay and death.  Peter reminds the readers of his letter twice (vs 1,17) that they are temporary residents.  This is a potent truth for us to remember and should be a source of steady encouragement.

Because of our faith in Jesus, we can look forward to “an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (vs. 4).  No matter what happens to us on this planet, God’s power protects us and the rich salvation we can anticipate (vs. 5). Peter teaches us “And if you address as Father the One who judges impartially based on each one’s work, you are to conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your temporary residence” (vs. 17). Reverence towards God is the attitude of choice while we journey.  Why? Because, incredibly before the world was even created, God planned for Jesus to validate our faith and hope in Him and give us eternal redemption and fellowship with Him (vss. 20,21).  

“All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like a flower of the grass.  The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures forever” (vss. 24,25). So, don’t revel in what will fade. Don’t hold on to what will burn. As you age and deal with the implications of a body which slowly over time breaks down, be encouraged in the hope and heritage that you have in Christ.  
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I remember growing up how excited I would be about moving to a new place and anticipating new experiences and adventures.  How much more exciting it is to look forward to what God has in store for us in heaven!  As temporary residents let’s be sure to let those around us who don’t know the Savior, hear of the hope and promise we have for our future, and invite them to join us. 
 
Inspiration
There is no Hebrew word for chronological time in the abstract. Instead the stress is on the providence and purpose of time rather than its passage; on the significance of a day rather than the succession of days; on the meaning of a moment rather than how it is measured; and on time as linear and purposeful rather than the pagan view of time as cyclical.—Os Guinness in The Call
 
©2017 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)