Thought for June 11th. “PREPARING OUR MINDS FOR ACTION”

The above words jumped out at us in 1 Peter 1 v.13.  What action?  In one sense, each morning we need to prepare our minds for action each day, to make that day count in service before God. Believers through the centuries have encountered times of crisis and a climax in their lives.  The Jewish exiles to whom Peter was writing were suffering persecution, probably  because of the rebellion of the Jews in Jerusalem against Rome in AD 67-70. Yet for the truly faithful these were also occasions of deliverance – even if that deliverance should be – being taken out of this life as happened to Stephen, the first martyr (Acts 7 v.60). Peter writes of those “who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” [v.5]  “Your faith has saved you” is a phrase in one form or another we often encounter in the New Testament.  We sense that this will be particularly true in the final years of human rule on this earth.  It is increasingly apparent that we live in those years.  Now note what Peter further writes, “if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold … may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” [v.6,7].  Peter writes of the time when those with such a faith will “rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith” [v.8,9].Our Isaiah reading (Ch.35) has wonderful words about this time when the faithful “come to Zion with singing: everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” [v.10]  So let us, start each day, by preparing our minds for action “having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth …” [1 Peter 1 v.22], an obedience shown by our love for one another “earnestly from a pure heart … through the living and abiding word of God” [v.22] which we must make sure we feed on every day.