Our Great Hope

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 Our Great Hope

1 Peter 1: 3-5 (KJV)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Devotion:

            Today we begin to look at the letters of Peter. The letter opens with a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s provision of salvation through Jesus Christ. Peter gives us a wonderful statement of the power of God. God not only provides for our needs right now he can be trusted to keep us even until the end of time. Peter uses very intense wording here at the beginning of his letter. The letter was written to believers in the area today that is the modern-day nation of Turkey.

            In addition to thanksgiving, this letter from Peter gives us hope for the future. No matter how dark the clouds may be in our own day and time if we keep the faith, we have a great future in Christ. Through Jesus we are born again into this hope, and it shall not be taken away from us under any condition. Peter’s words here echo the apostle Paul’s bold declaration to the Roman church that we find in Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” Both greatest apostles are unwavering in their declaration that we who know Christ will be kept by him even to the end of the age.

            With this mixture of hope and thanksgiving we should be bold to approach the throne of grace with any request we may have. Because we know that God will provide for us what we need in every circumstance of life. No matter what challenges we face we can be confident in God’s eternal care for us. The forces of evil may rise as they are doing now in our country, but God will see us through to the ultimate victory in Jesus.

            Therefore, let us not be shy about worshiping our blessed savior Jesus Christ. Let us declare all that he has done for us boldly to our sin-sick world. No matter what the world does to us to try and shut us up and shut us out we must speak of the hope we have in Jesus. We should look to the example of those who have gone before us in the faith and be courageous to always praise the name of Jesus and in all places. Let us now praise God for what he has done for us:

Prayer:

            Glory to you Lord, we thank you and praise you for the wonderful hope we have in Jesus. Thank you for loving us enough to give us your own son to be a ransom for our lives. We accept the wonderful gift you have given us in the person and work of Jesus Christ in our lives, and we give you all our worship in return. We can never do enough to earn your love, but you have provided your salvation through your great grace. Glory to you Lord and praise forevermore. Amen.

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