Day 34
Living Hope that Never Fades
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. [1 Peter 1:3]
I often hear Christians fretting about the latest headlines.
With each new crisis, many seem to worry: “Is this Armageddon?”
“Is it the end of America as we know it?” “Are we in the last days?”
Well, think about this: For many of the first century believers, it was the end of their lives as they knew it. And they sincerely believed they were living in the last days. Yet when you read their letters in the New Testament, what do you see?
G. Campbell Morgan was a great Scottish preacher in the time of World War II. Imagine hearing him say these words in his Scottish brogue:
I have no sympathy with those who tell us these are the darkest days this world has ever seen! The days in which we live are appalling. But they don’t compare to the days of the first Christians. Notwithstanding, the dominant tone of their letters is one of triumph; in fact, we never see them cast down, we never see them suffering from pessimism fever, they’re always triumphant! If ever I am tempted to think that religion is dead today, it is when I listen to the wailing of some Christian people, “Everything is going wrong!” Oh, be quiet! Think again! Judge again! Not by the circumstances of this passing hour, but by the infinite things of our gospel and our God! That is exactly what the writers of this New Testament did!
I love that. Reread 1 Peter 1:3–9 for an example of this. The readers were suffering in all kinds of trials,
yet Peter tells them they have a living hope
that can never fade.
Do not stake your happiness on circumstances, which can change so quickly, but on the infinite hope promised you by your God!
Question to Consider
What circumstances are creating anxiety in my life? How does trust in my living hope, my unchanging inheritance, give me serenity today?
Prayer
Lord, help me to be soaked to my soul with a sense of hope, and with the peace that passes all understanding. I get nervous, and I need You to calm me down with the peace of Christ.
