What trials are bringing you grief right now? Perhaps you are experiencing acute or chronic pain, illness, cancer treatments, or a broken bone. Maybe finances are tight and you aren’t sure how you’re going to pay next month’s bills. A relationship might be strained or broken, even after immense effort on your part to reconcile. Trouble might be brewing in ministry. Unwanted singleness might tempt you to be discontent. You might be in distress over your spouse’s sin patterns, or your own. Regardless of what the trial is, sufferers are often tempted to lose hope in the midst of it. It’s important, then, that we remind one another of the hope that we have in Christ. One of the passages in Scripture that teaches us this important truth is 1 Peter 1:3-12.
Hope
Peter begins by praising God, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Pet. 1:3). It is God who, “according to his great mercy…has caused us to be born again to a living hope” (v. 3). This hope is founded on “the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (v. 3). This hope is certain because Christ has already accomplished our redemption (v. 3) and “by God’s power” we “are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (v. 5). This hope will be consummately realized through “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (v. 4). In the midst of suffering, don’t lose sight of the truth that we have been born again to a living hope.
Hurt
The gift of salvation is always cause for rejoicing, no matter how much anguish, betrayal, grief, hurt, loss, pain, or trouble we experience. This doesn’t mean we smile through affliction. Pain is not good. Betrayal really hurts. However, these “various trials” that grieve you test “the genuineness of your faith” (1 Pet. 1:6-7). Such authentic faith results “in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (v. 7). Therefore, our suffering is not in vain. It reveals the authenticity of our faith and ultimately exalts our beloved Savior and Lord. In the midst of suffering, don’t lose sight of the truth that pain is purposeful.
Holy Spirit
Though Peter had seen Jesus, he was writing to sufferers who had not seen Him (1 Pet. 1:8). How encouraging, then, that they loved Him, believed in Him, and rejoiced in their salvation (v. 9). This salvation is the fulfillment of redemptive history. All through the Old Testament, the prophets proclaimed the coming Christ (v. 10). The Spirit of Christ was in them, indicating the sufferings and glories to come (v. 11). His Spirit moved the authors of Scripture to record redemptive history. It was even revealed to the prophets that they were serving future generations of believers, as they wrote of things that pointed forward to the good news of Christ (v. 12). The Holy Spirit continued to work in the lives of the apostles as they taught the gospel in the days of the early church, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, truths that are so glorious even the angels long to look into them (v. 12). Though they suffered Peter wanted them to know they were privileged. They were recipients of the good news of Jesus Christ!
Jesus told His disciples, “blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Matt. 13:16-17). Dear believer, you are privileged. You have received the good news of Jesus Christ. In the midst of suffering, don’t lose sight of the truth of the gospel.
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If you are facing grievous trials today, take heart. You can have hope in the midst of hurt. God has mercifully given us new life in Christ. He is keeping our imperishable inheritance for us. And He is guarding us by His power. Our hearts, even when they hurt, can rejoice in who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do. Our hands, even when clasped in anguish, can be raised in adoration and praise. Our eyes, even when flooded with tears of pain, can be fixed on His glory. And our feet, even when wanting to run in fear, can run to Him. Don’t be deceived in the midst of trials. You have “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:4).