THURSDAY: A FOREIGNER FROM ANOTHER PLACE

Sep 8, 2022
2 min read

Lord, sometimes I feel like I don’t belong. It seems like many people are living by one set of rules, and I just don’t fit in. Why do I feel that way?

1 Peter 1:17-21

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

The hardest part of living on earth is thinking like a foreigner. I keep thinking that I’m from this place, but Jesus said that I’m just a visitor from Heaven, living out my time in this foreign land. I did not purchase my citizenship with silver or gold, but Jesus redeemed me with His precious blood.

I am reminded that the blood of Jesus is not perishable but is the source of everlasting life. I can receive everlasting life by believing that Jesus died for me and knowing that through Him my sins are forgiven.

It is through Jesus that I believe in God, who raised Jesus from the dead and glorified Him. Since God saw fit to take me from an empty way of life to the only way that I am full of His life, I put my faith and hope in Him.

I also know that I can now call God my Father, who watches over me and judges my work impartially.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS: Who else can I put my faith in? Who else holds the mysteries of eternity in His hands? I know that God is faithful; I can be assured that He will always be faithful. Who else can I put my hope in? Who else has proven Himself time after time? I put my hope in the Lord, for He is the Author of hope. Through Him, I know I’m going to heaven, and through Him, I know my eternal future is secure.

With all this faith and hope, why do I worry so much? I worry because I allow seeds of doubt to creep in and distort my hope and cloud my faith. These seeds quench my spirit and allow me to fall into a tailspin of fear and worry. Lord, remind me and help me to remember and be assured that I am Your child. I praise Your name! You are my Hope, and in You I trust!

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman