Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds. – 1 Peter 1:17
Recently, an older lady received a delivery from UPS; she stood in wonder looking at an 80-roll box of toilet paper. A year ago the thought of receiving such a thing would have seemed strange, but on this day, in this time, it seemed like the best gift ever! She hadn’t ordered it, but she knew who had to be the benefactor that sent it to her.
Today’s verse calls attention to God the Father. He, too, is a giver of gifts, but He is also an impartial judge… in this case, not of your sins, but of your deeds. Amazingly, He is looking to find something good. As your Heavenly Father dealing with His child, He is merciful and forgiving, but He is also a loving disciplinarian. He is holy and expects His children to exhibit that nature. If you sin, God chastens, but when you obey and have a ministry of service out of love for Him, the Lord will take note and prepare the proper reward. He is able to examine your motives, the purposes of your heart, in order to determine the best commendation that can be given (1 Corinthians 4:5).
He cares that much for you, Beloved! He is willing to give you heavenly rewards. Since that is the case, don’t you think you can trust Him to care for you and give you what’s best in this life? Pray for an attitude of loving reverence for the Father so that your desire is to please Him and not disappoint Him. Pray for the leaders of this nation that their motives would be pure and their deeds worthy of reward.
Today’s Verse: 1 Peter 1:17
And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Hebrews 12:3-14, 28-29
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
