The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 1:3-9, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”

The very last verse of the very last chapter of the Psalms says, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!” (Psa. 150:6). I challenged “everything” in this verse, and was amazed to find that virtually everything the LORD has created experiences “breathing.” Thus, worms and fish and trees, both animate and inanimate things join people in verifying the Word of God.

Like many of you, I view the vicious contention between the Israelis and those nations that would do them harm. At the same time, I ask, “Why would the LORD allow such evil to challenge His people?” To mind comes the short, but tersely meaningful limerick:
“Theirs is not to reason why; theirs is but to do and die.”

We have no right to challenge the LORD’s involvement. The Israelis are His people, although they have never nationally recognized Jesus as their Savior. We recognize Him, but far too often fail to yield to His will. Where then, is the proof of our faith –faith that Peter recognizes as “more precious than gold which is perishable”?

We would do well to remember that it is faith in Him alone that secures our eternal salvation. Do you possess that faith? Have you bowed in quiet prayer and ask Him
to reveal Himself to you? He promises to make Himself known to us; we must trust
Him to do as He has promised. I am praying for you.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom