Though you have not seen him (Jesus), you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.1 Pet. 1:8-9 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, Peter’s words are so heart encouraging and hope fueling. We greatly long for the Day when knowing you in part will give way to knowing you fully. Indeed, we crave the Day when seeing you will no longer require faith or imagination, or waiting or repentance. Hasten that Day, Lord; hasten the grace-full moment we will see you as you are, and we will be transformed into your likeness (1 John 3:1-3).
Everything we already know about you fills our hearts with awe, worship, and joy; but there’s so much more to see and know. We are mere babes-in-the-woods of gospel-wonder; neophyte prospectors in the mountains of the riches of the gospel; children with water wings wading into the bottomless ocean of your glory and love. Continue to open the eyes of our hearts, Lord Jesus. Show us more of you; expand our capacity for knowing and marveling at you.
The joy from being pursued, known, and loved by the Creator of all things is immeasurable. The delight born from knowing you gave your life for us—fulfilling the law, taking our judgment, becoming our righteousness… such joy is incomparable. And the peace we feel as we ponder your return—Bridegroom for his bride, Lover for his beloved, Friend of sinners for chief sinners… such peace is transformative.
Until that Day, keep us hungry and thirsty for yourself, Lord Jesus. May every idol we reach for fail us, and all our broken cisterns remain broken and dry. So very Amen we pray, in your peerless and precious name.