Hope in Trials
I have enjoyed studying the book of 1 Peter. The Christians at that time were undergoing a severe persecution. Nero was the Roman Emperor who was ruling over the world, and he had a very bad distaste for Christians. They were being slandered and maligned and even put to death. Peter writes this epistle to give them hope in the midst of their trials.
He begins by reminding them that they have something special because they have chosen to follow God. 1 Peter 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, (5) who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (NASB) We have been born again to a living [not dead, empty] hope because Jesus rose from the grave. We have an inheritance that is imperishable [will never expire], undefiled [totally pure], unfading [never loses its brilliance] and is reserved for you in heaven. If you heard these words, would they not encourage you to continue to be faithful?
Another thing he reminds them of is found in 1 Peter 1:18- 19, “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, (19) but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” Here we see that they were ransomed from their old way of life by the precious blood of Jesus. Jesus died for the sins of all men on the cross.
Today you may be going through trials, persecutions of your own. If you do not have Jesus in your life, it will be difficult to overcome. When you have Jesus, you have hope, something to look forward to. We never know what exactly the world will throw at us. What lies in our future? Could there be fierce persecution of some kind? If so, do we have hope? Is that hope in what we can do? The things we have? Our power? None of these will help. Only having Jesus will give us what we need.
Keep in mind that Peter never said that their trials, persecutions, or whatever happens in their life will be taken away. He informs them that there is hope, and it lies in Jesus. No one or no thing can be taken away from them...or us... if we commit ourselves to Jesus.
If you haven’t read Peter’s epistles, why not take the time to do so today? And if you are trying to make it on your own, without Christ, won’t you consider Him today?