[God] sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They afflicted his feet with fetters, he himself was laid in irons, until the time that His Word came to pass, the Word of the Lord tested him. The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples, and set him free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler over all his possessions, to imprison his princes at will, that he might teach his elders wisdom.

   These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it - and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of His return.

   You love Him even though you have never seen Him; though not seeing Him, you trust Him; and even now you are happy with the inexpressible joy that comes from heaven itself. And your further reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.

   This salvation was something the prophets did not fully understand. Though they wrote about it, they had many questions as to what it all could mean. They wondered what the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about, for He told them to write down the events which, since then, have happened to Christ: His suffering, and His great glory afterwards. And they wondered when and to whom all this would happen.

   They were finally told that these things would not occur during their lifetime, but long years later, during yours. And now at last this Good News has been plainly announced to all of us. It was preached to us in the power of the same heaven-sent Holy Spirit Who spoke to them; and it is all so strange and wonderful that even the angels in heaven would give a great deal to know more about it. So now you can look forward soberly and intelligently to more of God's kindness to you when Jesus Christ returns.

   Obey God because you are His children; don't slip back into your old ways - doing evil because you knew no better. But be holy now in everything you do, just as the Lord is holy, Who invited you to be His child. He Himself has said, "You must be holy, for I am holy."

Taken from Psalm 105, I Peter 1, The New American Standard and The Living Bible.
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