APRIL 24, 2015
Hope Lives
Your faith,
being much more precious than gold . . . may be found to praise, honor, and
glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. —1 Peter 1:7
Read:
1
Peter 1:3-9
When unspeakable
tragedy shatters people’s lives, they search for answers. Recently, a mother
who had lost a teenager said to me, “I can’t figure it out. I don’t know if I
can believe anymore. I try, but God doesn’t make sense to me. What does it all
mean?” There are no easy answers to such big concerns. But for those who have
trusted Christ, there is hope—whether we are basking in blessings or grinding
through grief.
Peter spells this out
in his first letter. In glowing terms, he praises God for our “new birth into a
living hope” (1 Peter 1:3 niv) through our
salvation. That hope can bring joy even in the middle of tragedy. He also
assures us of the permanence of this hope (v.4). He then tells us of the
heart-breaking reality that we may “suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (v.6niv). Those who have suffered loss turn hopeful hearts toward
Peter’s next words: These come so that “your faith . . . may be found to
praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (v.7).
Trials—seemingly
random and inexplicable—can be seen differently in the light of these words. In
the midst of tragedy, the power and beauty of our salvation can shine through
because of our great Savior. And that may be just enough light to get a
troubled person through another day.
Lord, You assure us
that the grand salvation You provided is proved genuine in our pain and that it
leads to glory for You. Help us to begin each new day with renewed hope in You.
The light of salvation
shines clearly even in the darkest night.
INSIGHT:
The hope that Peter describes in today’s reading is also a major theme of
Paul’s letter to the Romans. In Romans 5:5 he describes this hope as a reality
that flows from our growth in Christ. In Romans 8 he discusses our hope as
something we anticipate from our salvation. Romans 12:12 reminds us that hope
is grounds for great joy. Romans 15 describes hope as something we learn
through trials, yet something that is characteristic of our God (v. 13).
Clearly, to Paul and to Peter, hope is very important in the life of faith.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2012