Holding on to Hope: 1 Peter

Wednesday, May 5

Today’s reading: 1 Peter 1:9-12

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that now have been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things which angels long to look.

Each day, we as the Monday through Friday post writers, have a similar goal. We want to answer this question as we work our way through 1 Peter: "Where is the hope in this passage?" Our heart's desire is to point you to Christ so that you can know him better and cling to him more each and every day.

With this in mind, let's dig in.

I see hope in three different ways:

1. Indwelling Love. In his letter, Peter expresses to the dispersed believers that even though they do not physically see Jesus any longer, they do have his love INSIDE of them through his Spirit. This supernatural love can help them bear up under the persecutions that they are currently facing.

2. Abounding Joy. Again Peter is reminding the first generation believers that because of their faith in the RESURRECTED Christ, no matter what is going on around them, they can experience joy that is both inexpressible and full of glory. This risen-from-the-dead-joy cannot be quenched. In fact, the inner joy displays outer glory and distinctly marks them, causing unbelievers to wonder.

3. Connection. Peter writes to these new Christians about their forefathers (in the Old Testament) who prophesied about the Messiah. He said that they were actually serving not themselves but you (v. 12). The hope that was written about in ages past was the hope that was fulfilled before their eyes! Now, these believers in this letter are showing us how to live with this hope today! God's revealed glory never stops; we too are called to pass it on.

I thought it would be a great exercise to share our hope with each other today. Just like these New Testament believers, the risen Savior is our indwelling love and he is our abounding joy. In order to connect and encourage one another in our "dispersed places", and if the Spirit nudges you, please put your city and state in the comments below. My prayer is that this will encourage each one of us in our present day trial. WE ARE NOT ALONE. May the Lord's love and joy be within us so that his glory can shine out of us in our divinely selected places.

Dear Lord Jesus,

You are our living hope! Thank you for those who have gone before us, teaching us how to cling to you. Reveal yourself more and more to us as we open your word. The more we know you, the more we experience your love and your joy, and that's what we truly need in the midst of adversity. You are so generous to share your glory amongst all believers. We thank you and praise you collectively today. Amen