Year of the Bible: Part Eleven of TwelveSample

Hope for the Believer

As we have learned repeatedly, God always planned to bring His people back to Him. His main goal since the garden of Eden has been restoring the relationship between Him and us. He set His plan in motion and foretold what would happen through the prophets. The prophets didn’t understand all God was saying, and none saw the fulfillment of their words on this earth. Yet, they obediently spoke His words, and now, we can see how Jesus fulfilled them.

Isn’t it amazing that God had hope in mind all along? Peter knew the prophecies, he experienced their fulfillment when he hung out with Jesus, and then he went to all the places God led him to let people know about the hope they could find in Jesus!

This hope can be lacking in a Christian’s life, sometimes because we get so distracted by the cares of the world that we forget our hope in Jesus. David Pawson describes the difference between a Christian with hope and a Christian without hope: A Christian with hope is willing to stay but wants to be with Christ. A Christian without hope is willing to depart and be with Christ but wants to stay here.

Peter’s letter to the dispersed Christians prepared them for persecution. He knew that as individual believers, we are also part of a body of believers. We will not endure suffering well unless we are surrounded by a fellowship of others to hold us up and encourage us in our faith.

The hope of the Gospel—Jesus—was foretold by the prophets, fulfilled in Jesus, and preached by Peter. It was so profound that even angels want to understand the fullness of our hope.

Question: Have you lost hope in the Gospel due to difficulty or discouragement?

Prayer: Ask God to give you other believers to walk with you through times of discouragement. Ask God to renew the joy of your salvation and reveal to you another layer of hope that lies ahead. Take some time to examine what you are thankful for and write about any renewed hope that comes as you pray.