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, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 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. (1 Peter 1:3-7, ESV)
While today’s passage is a bit lengthy, it is incredibly beautiful and supplies much hope for those who are suffering or going through “various trials.” Take time to read it several times and let it soak in.
When I meet someone who is thinking of taking up golf, I am always encouraging and cheer them on to give it a try. However, I typically give them a few warnings.
Most likely, they are interested in the game as a result of watching the very best in the world play the toughest sport in all the world. I tell these individuals that it is not as easy as those professionals on TV make it look and that many “trials and tough times” are ahead of those who are learning to play golf.
Whether these things get better in my life or not, I hope to always look to Christ.This is very similar to those I have the unbelievable opportunity of sharing Christ with and pointing in the direction of the hope and Savior of the world. While I push those people to Christ and tell them, “He is the Savior of your sins and the only One who can completely and full satisfy you,” I also give them a heads-up (warning): Trials, hard times, and sufferings will come.
Throughout the Bible, we see many passages that speak of suffering and how Christians will “meet trials of various kinds” (James 1). The question is not if we will face trials and tribulation as believers; the right question is when will we face these hard times?
Today’s passage recognizes this and is so rich that I could write an entire dissertation about how it applies to us believers. But let’s focus on this point: Peter encourages those who are going to face hard times (all Christians) by reminding them of the gospel, reminding them that the inheritance given to us from God is kept in heaven for us.
Here’s the truth: We cannot guarantee anyone that their trials, tribulations, or suffering will get better or disappear on this side of heaven. However, what we can do is encourage one another with the Good News of Jesus: that our salvation in Christ is a true, never-fading inheritance, and that one day we will meet our Savior face-to-face, where he’ll wipe away our tears, hardships, trials, temptations, and suffering.
This is the hope we have. Living in a sinful world in sinful bodies can outright stink at times. I know; I get it, dealing with chronic illness and other various trials and hardships. However, my hope is this: Whether these things get better in my life or not, I hope to always look to Christ, put my hope in him, and look forward to perfection in heaven. And if I struggle to believe these things to be true, I am thankful for friends in Christ who push me toward my Savior and encourage me in him. By following Peter’s example, I can do the same for them, and you can encourage the brothers and sisters God has given you.
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Rosson Anderson
November 1, 2017
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.