1 Peter 1:1-9

The antidote to discouragement, defeat, and despair is Hope

Hope is having confidence in Jesus’ faithfulness to His word

TO DAILY LIVE IN THE HOPE THAT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS PROVIDES, PETER WANTS US TO REMEMBER FOUR TRUTHS: 

1. This world is not our home

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,” Vs. 1

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” Philippians 3:20 NIV

2. We have been chosen by God

“Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” Vs. 2

3. Nothing compares to what our ultimate future has in store for us

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” Vs. 3-5

4. There is a purpose to our problems

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” Vs. 6-9

Lord  Jesus, 
Thank you for coming into this broken world and redeeming my broken life. Thank you for showing us what God is really like. I believe that You defeated my enemies of sin, Satan, and death by Your death and resurrection. I am putting my trust and hope in You. For You alone are the source of everlasting hope. I receive Your peace in these unsettling times knowing that You are in control and will work all things for ultimate good because You good. 
In Your name. Amen.