Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

FRIDAY APRIL 24


HOPE LIVES

READ:
1 Peter 1:7
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Your faith, being
much more
precious than gold
...may be found
to praise, honor,
and glory at the
revelation of
Jesus Christ
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

When unspeakable tragedy shatters people's lives, they search for answers. Recently, a mother who had lost a teenager said to me, "I can't figure it out. I don't know if I can believe anymore. I try, but God doesn't make sense to me. What does it all mean?" There are no easy answers to such big concerns. But for those who have trusted Christ, there is hope__whether we are basking in blessings or grinding through grief.

Peter spells this out in his first letter. In glowing terms, he praises God for our "new birth into a living hope" (1 Peter 1:3 NIV) through our salvation. That hope can bring joy even in the middle of tragedy. He also assures us of the permanence of this hope (v.4). He then tells us of the heart-breaking reality that we may "suffer grief in all kinds of trials" (v. 6 NIV). Those who have suffered loss turn hopeful hearts toward Peter's next words: These come so that "your faith...may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (v.7).

Trials__seemingly random and inexplicable__can be seen differently in the light of these words. In the midst of tragedy, the power and beauty of our salvation can shine through because of our great Savior. And that may be just enough light to get a troubled person through another day. __Dave Branon

**Lord, You assure us that the grand salvation You provided is proved
genuine in our pain and that it leads to glory for You. Help us to begin each
new day with renewed hope in You.

The light of salvation shines clearly even in the darkest night.

**********************************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Peter 1:3-9********************************
1 Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us
again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible
and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven
for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for
salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you
greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you
have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of
your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes,
though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and
glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen
you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you
rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the
end of your faith__the salvation of your souls.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The hope that Peter describes in today's
reading is also a major theme of Paul's letter to the Romans.
In Romans 5:5 he describes this hope as a reality that flows
from our growth in Christ. In Romans 8 he discusses our
hope as something we anticipate from our salvation. Romans
12:12 reminds us that hope is grounds for great joy. Romans
15 describes hope as something we learn through trials, yet
something that is characteristic of our God (v. 13). Clearly, to Paul
and to Peter, hope is very important in the life of faith.