Holding on to Hope: 1 Peter 4:4-7
Tuesday, May 25
Holding on to Hope
Today’s reading: 1 Peter 4:4-7
With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you, but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
With every year that goes by, we are getting closer to what Peter calls, "the end of all things", when those who believe in Jesus will be standing in His presence to give an account of the life lived for Him. We are called to live in expectancy for that day and to be prepared, in thought, word, and deed, for whatever may transpire in our lives during these uncertain times. None of us knows the difficulties and dangers we will face, but Peter encourages the Christ followers to have an alert attitude, be sober-minded (calm) and to pray. “If our thinking and praying are right, then our living should be right” (Be Hopeful by Warren Wiersbe).
In the book Be Hopeful, we are also reminded that although people may speak evil of us and even oppose us, the final judge is God. We may sacrifice our lives in the minds of persecution, but God will honor and reward us. We must fear God and not men (1 Peter 3:13-17; Matthew 10:24-33). While we are in these human bodies (“in the flesh”), we are judged by human standards. One day we shall be with the Lord (“in the spirit”) and receive the true and final judgement.
But while on earth we are here for a reason and we must be diligent with our clarity of thought, and ceaseless prayer for us to live the righteous life God intends. It is turning our heart to Jesus each moment of the day. It is desiring to know and love Him more. It is praising Him as our Savior. And, I am personally giving thanks to Him today for being the final Judge so I don’t have to worry or fear what others say or do. I want to stay focused on Him being the one I should fear so I can keep my eyes on the prize…..eternal life and blessings with our King.
Listen to these encouraging words of the whole chapter: 1 Peter Chapter 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm7BqvzlAv8
Jesus, You are our living hope! We come to you today with a willingness to listen to your voice and a readiness to depend on you in the most difficult circumstances we face in life. We hold on to hope knowing that we will experience sacrifice along with difficulties, persecution and opposition, but you will be the ultimate judge, who will honor and reward us. Please instill in us an expectant attitude of your return so we are living each minute according to your will and not the will of others. Let us look to our future reward during our present day and live each day in expectancy of standing before you. Amen