“to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1Peter 1:4-5)
RRSP’s - Registered Retirement Savings Plan – that investment that so many Canadians put their hope in as a guarantee of having an enjoyable retirement with a certain level of income. After leaving my employer of 18 years to follow the call to pastor a church, I was offered a severance amount, which was basically my accrued company pension contributions. Essentially, it was a trade-off whereby the company would give me a monetary sum to get me off the books. I would no longer be eligible to receive the company pension I had contributed to, but would be responsible to invest that amount in something of my choice. That sum of money was placed into an RRSP. Generally, this is a good way of saving money for retirement, but it is dependent on the financial market. In other words, the current economic situation affects the value of this investment. Over the years, as Canada prospered, I have seen this investment increase substantially. It has been exciting to see my monthly statements come in with the new value of my investment. But, Covid-19 arrived, and world economies took a major hit. It was not long into the “pandemic” when I started to see my investment take a major plunge in value. With many of my friends and family at that point of retirement in life, and myself not far behind (although can anyone retire from the kingdom of God), I realized that these RRSP’s were not as guaranteed an investment as people had claimed them to be. With the way this world is going, will there be anything left of them when I reach my earthly retirement? Worldly investments really are perishable, fade away with market volatility, and are definitely not reserved on earth for me. Praise God I have a heavenly inheritance reserved in heaven for me (you can read last week’s devotional on that).
Just take a moment to read 1Peter 1, verses 4b and 5. Notice these two powerful words reserved (kept)and protected (guarded, shielded). Why would God reserve an inheritance in heaven for me and you now? Because He is able to guard and protect you and I till we get there to receive it! That’s a true guarantee from God Almighty to us! This word protected was used of a “sentinel”, a guard, assigned to protect an individual. Now, the verse in Hebrews comes to mind, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14) Do we actually have an angelic guard assigned to us to keep us through to the end so that we receive our inheritance? What an incredible thought! Psalm 91:11 says, “For He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go” (NLT). Our text says that it is the power of God that protects us. God has authority and power over His angelic creation, so they obey His commands.
Ultimately, it is God Himself who protects us, through His sovereignty and omnipotence. Remember Paul’s words in Romans, “if God is for us, who can be against us?”. The answer is nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, because we are more than conquerors! Just take a moment to read Romans 8:31-39. Here are some more incredible promises about God’s power to keep us till the end:
- To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling (falling) and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude, vs. 24-25)
- I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. (John 10:28-29)
- Therefore, He is able to save completely (forever) those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
- The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. (Psalm 121:7)
Friends, people who have put their faith in Christ, trust Christ to get them to the finish line to receive their inheritance, when the fullness of our salvation is revealed. Our continued faith, which is a gift from God, is proof that God is guarding us till the inheritance is handed over. Keep trusting Jesus; keep encouraging yourself in His promises! Don’t trust in your own abilities, trust God. Our Guard guarantees our future!
(Read psalms 91 & 121)
Have a blessed week!
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