1st Peter 1:12. “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” UNTO US THEY DID MINISTER They watched as people died for their faith They looked beyond the event to others Others who would hear and wonder, needing assurance And the Holy Ghost moved them to report – To confirm not just the event – the suffering – The reason these saints were strong in faith. The Gospel that brought the good news of salvation Gives the long view of life, and can open the eyes
To the future – to the Throne-Sitter – to the Savior Reminding them and us – of the promises
When thou passest through the waters… the fire… The floods... I will be with you.” “I will come… and receive you unto Myself…” “Where I am, there will you be also…” And the sufferings they passed through As they ministered to us of their faith Arouses a stirring of “Like precious faith” That amazes even as the watching angels Who wonder at the deep response to grace; And the faith produced by promises made Knowing Him but never having experienced The delivering power of the Gospel – But the blood of the saints – the testimony made – Serves us today and we move into our day – Strengthened – to be tested in some way ourselves.
“I thank Thee, Lord God, for the faithfulness of the saints in the past whose lives and testimonies left a strong legacy of faith for the succeeding generations including mine. I pray today that I will have some sort of spiritual legacy to leave to those who follow in the generation following. May Christ be formed in them as a testimony to those who follow them if the Lord tarries. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”