The Text (1 Peter 1:3–9)
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. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 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, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
An Insight
First Peter begins with a beautiful and rich statement of praise to God. Peter’s praise centers on our new birth in Christ and the living hope we have for an eternal inheritance of salvation. The apostle says these truths ground us in trials. They can be a source of joy in the present and will one day result in an outpouring of praise when Jesus returns. Verse three makes it clear that that these things are all made possible through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this way, Peter looks backwards to Jesus’s resurrection and forwards to his second coming to make some sense of the present.
A Timeless Principle
Life is complicated even on a good day. When steep challenges come our way or tragedy strikes, life can hardly seem to make any sense. Complete, satisfying answers to why things happen to us are often beyond our grasp. There is simply too much in this world and in the spiritual realm that we cannot perceive. Peter reminds us, however, how God’s past and future actions can provide some clarity for the present. In the past is Jesus’ victory over the grave in resurrection, and in the future is his return and the full salvation God offers us through him. The past and the future bring living hope into the present for those who have been born again, even when it consists of trials or sufferings. Answers may continue to elude us, but divine mercy, assurance, and strength are readily available. God is eager to supply these things to us.
Living the Text
Let’s allow the work of God, both past and future, to guide us in the present moment today. For some of us, the present moment is quite a good one, full of answered prayers, new opportunities, or things to enjoy. For others of us, the present moment is a time of trial, temptation, or heartbreak. God offers his constant and steady assurance, strength, and hope to us today, regardless of what our present moment is like. He calls us back to the victory of the empty tomb and ahead to the promise of his Son’s return. The past and future are securely his. Let’s allow this truth to fill our good moments with thanksgiving and joy and our challenging, scary, or tragic ones with his strength and comfort. I believe we will find he holds us in the present just as securely as he holds the past and future.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We praise you for our new birth, living hope, and eternal inheritance. We know these blessings are ours all because of what you have done through your Son’s resurrection and will do when he returns. May your great acts of grace and salvation ground us in your love, so that whether in times of joy or trial we are aware of your constant presence. Whatever comes our way, walk with us today.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
