Our hope is living and real, as sure as Christ.

Posted : 3 Jun, 2012 02:32 AM

Peter's first epistle is addressed to "strangers in the world," who have their homeland in heaven. They are not surprised that they suffer when they do what is right. They follow the footprints of Jesus.



Bible Reading:



1 Peter 1:3�9



Bible Text:



He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Pet. 1:3).



Devotional:



All people are born with hope in their hearts. Hope is a built-in optimism that lets us survive disappointments. The power of hope helps nations overcome the blows of destructive wars. Hope makes people believe they still have a future.



But because death reigns over everyone in this world, our hope dies when we die. The hope with which we are born is an illusion unless it is anchored in God.



Yet God's people are not only born with a hope that dies; we are also born again "into a living hope." The second birth took place when Jesus arose from the dead. Easter morning was the golden sunrise of our new birth. And ever since that day, the people of God have gathered on the first day of the week to celebrate their birth date.



Death was overcome by Christ. Therefore life makes sense to the people who belong to him. They have received a new beginning, an endless perspective, and a glorious future.



The built-in hope of all human beings is the power that makes people go on. Because they have hope, people continue to strive for better days. Yet this hope is an illusion; it ends among tombstones.



But our hope is living and real, as sure as Christ. He is the beginning of a new creation. His resurrection is our birthday, and our life expectancy is forever.



by the Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven

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