Daily devotional · April 14
A Living Hope
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By 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 is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
Peter wrote to believers scattered and suffering, and he opens with praise: God has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus. He describes an inheritance that cannot perish, spoil or fade, kept safe in heaven. He admits that trials come, and that they test faith the way fire tests gold. Yet there is joy, not because pain is small but because Jesus is near even though unseen. Hope in the Bible is not a vague wish; it is confident expectation grounded in what God has already done. Today, take a difficulty you are facing and place it beside the resurrection. Ask God to help you see it in that light. Then thank him for one thing that cannot be taken from you, and share your encouragement with someone who is struggling.
Prayer
God of hope, anchor my heart in Christ's resurrection when trials come. Amen.