1 Peter 1:1-8 (NIV)

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 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.
3 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, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 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. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 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. 8 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.

Reflection

During the recent Olympics, many TV and radio stations warned “Spoiler Alert” before reporting on the live coverage of the Olympics. This was done so that those who wanted to watch later would not know of the medal winners. Here, Peter’s message is like a “spoiler alert.” It announces of things to come, but it is not one that we want to hold off hearing. Peter’s audience was the suffering churches struggling through harsh persecution. So, Peter boldly reminded them about the incredible inheritance they have received in Jesus Christ. Kept in heaven for them, it is an inheritance that will never perish, spoil or fade. As they continued to prove the genuineness of their faith, Peter urged them that they have a “living hope” and God’s power shields them until Jesus is fully revealed in the last times. In the same way, this incredible “living hope” has been given to us. While we too wait for Christ’s return, we can love Him, be filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, and live for eternity in praise, glory and honor of Him.

Response

Let’s joyfully thank God for the living hope and inheritance we have received through Christ. Let’s worship Him for the cleansing work of the Spirit that saved us. As we go through the day, let’s ask the Spirit to fill us with the inexpressible and glorious joy, trusting that our lives are fully shielded by God’s power.