The Psalmist in Psalm 84:11 affirms truly that "The LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." This is a blessed assurance to believers who know that by grace they are saved, through faith; and that not of themselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). Blessed it is to have learned that our God is not making demands on us, but in Christ Jesus has brought grace for all men so that salvation is available for all. It is God's love displayed in Christ, going out freely to all men, supplying forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

Not only does our God meet the sinner in his sins and saves him from their consequences, but He also supplies grace for the whole wilderness journey. "He giveth more grace," as James 4:6 tells us. But for this to be available to us, humility is necessary, for He "resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble." One source of grace day by day is the glory that continually beckons the child of faith, for we know we are almost home. The realization of this gives strength for each day and each moment along the way.

In 1 Peter 1:1-13, these two themes—grace and glory—are brought before us a number of times. In verse 2, the apostle prays that grace and peace may be multiplied to them. After being so long under law, as these Jews of the dispersion to whom he wrote had been, this word grace must at first have had a peculiar sound, but when understood, it became a blessed sound indeed! Our needs are many and, having no power of our own, as we continually bring these needs to our God, grace and peace are multiplied.

The Old Testament prophets prophesied of this grace that was to come unto us and, while not understanding it, they searched what and when this was to occur—"Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow" (1 Peter 1:10,11). Now we know, and have the privilege of entering into these blessings of grace which even angels desire to look into (v. 12), though not themselves the objects of grace. In all ages, God's salvation has been, is, and will be on the ground of grace based on the finished work of Christ, for on no other ground could ruined man be brought to God. But the age in which our lot is cast is one in which the grace of God is acting in a special way to bestow blessing beyond any period before or after this present age (Ephesians 3). That grace is come unto us. We are inheritors of it and of all those blessings secured in heaven (1 Peter 1:3), so that nothing can touch them or defile them. Thus, this age is rightly characterized as the day of grace.

But the day of the revelation of Jesus Christ is still future. In view of this we are exhorted to gird up the loins of our minds and be sober, and hope to the end (1 Peter 1:13) in the grace that is to be brought unto us then. It is the believer's privilege to live in the power of this now. What a day that will be! What strength it imparts even now! Clearly it is grace from first to last.

Just as the sufferings of Christ preceded and led to the glory that shall follow (1 Peter 1:11), so also it is for the believer as he looks on to the glory, though now, if need be, he is in heaviness through manifold trials (1 Peter 1:6). This trial of faith is one of the precious things of which the apostle Peter speaks—more precious even than gold tried with fire—as it will be found to be to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7).

We who know Him love Him now even though we have not seen Him as the apostle had. And though now we see Him not, there is a present joy, a joy unspeakable and full of glory, or as it literally is, "glorified" (1 Peter 1:8). Thus the joy of eternity is entered into by faith even now, and the soul is lifted above the power of things around. Truly He will give grace and glory. Let us delight in it and worship Him for it.

—John B. Rogers