It would be good to read a little of Peter’s first letter before I state definitively that it’s about hope. Already this year we’ve focused on hope, with God’s Word as a guide. Emily Dickinson also wrote about hope.
One takeaway about hope is that we hear it, even when we can’t see it. Which lines up exactly with our observations in past weeks about the relationship between faith and hope. We are sure of it, even when we can’t see it. Hope whispers in our soul, in God’s voice.
*What does hope sound like?
*When have you heard God whisper hope to you?
Yes, after two years of reflecting and learning about listening to God, I can say He speaks. On my bulletin board I have a few quotes pinned, and more cards below (they didn’t all fit on the board). One reads, “Ask a question and God will answer.” This hearing requires an awareness and soul-stillness, though. Even if only for the briefest moment. A couple of weeks ago, I asked God what to do regarding something I would do. His answer: that which focuses on Him and brings Him glory. A more recent question had to do with the timing of something I hope for. God reminded me there’s this other hopeful thing out there, and I would probably not be able to do both at the same time. Patience, one thing at a time, one step at a time with God. He speaks, if we will only attentively listen.
*How does God speak to us?
*How can that assurance give us hope?
We’re reading through 1 Peter, which is written to believers who will face suffering of various kinds. When life doesn’t go quite as we hope or expect, questions arise. A preview of Peter’s awareness of what his readers will face reassures us that this letter is relevant to us today.
*What questions do we ask in times of difficulty?
Believers will face
- trials, that will also prove their faith is genuine1
- trials to prove their character2
- fiery ordeals (1 Peter 4:12 NASB) or calamities
- afflictions
- sharing in the afflictions and similar experiences of suffering (1 Peter 5:9 NASB) of believers everywhere
- experiences of suffering3
- for being a Christian (1 Peter 4:16 NASB)
- for righteousness’ sake in which they will be subjected to evil because of righteousness3
- endured for the sake of Christ4
- as they live a holy life in contrast to a life of sin5
- suffering as they participate in the sufferings of Christ6
- persecution
- harsh treatment (1 Peter 2:20 NASB)
- evil in the context of suffering for doing what is right (1 Peter 3:17 NASB)
- slander in which people speak evil of them and intend to harm their reputation7, 8
- false charges and accusations9
- people speaking against them out of foolishness, willful ignorance of the gospel,10 moral fault, or blindness11
- abusive words and reproach12
Quite a list,13 and not what we thought we signed up for. Or, far enough from our personal experience that we cannot imagine such suffering.
*What kinds of suffering do Christians face today here in our country?
*How does Peter’s list answer our questions about life’s difficulties?
Time for a bit of history. This letter was written sometime around the time that Nero persecuted Christians,14, 15 and sent to believers in five Roman provinces in Asia Minor.16 They not only faced current local persecutions, but would encounter difficult times in the future. God’s Word assures us believers today will also face trials and suffering of various kinds (James 1:2, 1 Peter 1:6-7).
Before he described what they would encounter, Peter gave his readers hope.
“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, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4). 
God is worthy of all praise.
- David and Paul also used this phrase, “great mercy.”
- We know enough about their lives to know they experienced it first-hand.
- This is the new birth, or being born again, Jesus discussed with Nicodemus. Peter probably heard of this first-hand from Jesus.
Jesus’ resurrection brought our hope to life.
- We are born into this hope and into the position of heir.
- Our hope is active and will endure.17
- God is the source of our hope.18
The definition of hope in these verses echoes the definition of faith in Hebrews 11.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
- Hope is a desire of good with [an] expectation of obtaining it.18
- Our hope is an inheritance. (Ephesians 1:18)
- This inheritance is pure, sincere,19 and founded in heaven.
- It will not perish, in contrast to earthly bodies which deteriorate.20
- Our inheritance is compared to amaranth, a grain, as opposed to grass.21
- You may have heard of this “ancient” grain recently, as it’s very nutritious.22
- Perhaps we can say our hope in the inheritance God has reserved for us sustains us until heaven.
- Amaranth has maroon flowers which do not fade;23 in fact, in the future they may be used as a source of natural red dye.22
- It is a drought tolerant plant, perhaps due in part to its ability to wilt temporarily then revive after rain.22
- Our hope endures (vs. 3)17 through times of drought.
The inheritance is kept or reserved in heaven for us.
When we think of an inheritance in earthly terms, we may anticipate receiving some kind of treasure. Inheritances happen due to the truth that we cannot take earthly riches with us when we die. In contrast, our heavenly treasure—inheriting and living in God’s kingdom (Matthew 25:34)—is an eternal inheritance that will never pass away.
*Why is God worthy of all our praise?
*How does Jesus’ resurrection bring hope to life?
*What does it mean to you to realize our hope is living and will endure?
*What does it mean in our daily lives to say God is the source of our hope?
*How do you define hope?
*What does our heavenly inheritance mean to you?
1 Spiros Zodhiates Th.D., The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament (Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 1992), 476
2 Ibid., 1135
3 Ibid., 1127
4 Ibid., 1087
5 1 Peter 2:24; Spiros Zodhiates Th.D., The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament (Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 1992), 462
6 Ibid., 873
7 Ibid., 834
8 Ibid., 340
9 Ibid., 618
10 Ibid., 304
11 Ibid., 74
12 Ibid., 1047
13 William Barclay, Rev. Ed. trans. The Letters of James and Peter. The Daily Study Bible Series (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1976 [Edinburgh, Scotland: The Saint Andrew Press, 1958). 137-163
14, 15 Barclay, Zodhiates
16 Spiros Zodhiates Th.D., The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament (Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 1992), 750
17 Ibid., 698
18 Ibid., 570
19 Ibid., 136
20 Ibid., 299
21 Ibid., 129
22 Kathleen Delate, Dr. “Amaranth.” Alternative Agriculture. (Ames, IA: Iowa Sate University Extension and Outreach, 1995-2013). Accessed February 1, 2023. https://www.extension.iastate.edu/alternativeag/cropproduction/amaranth.html
23 Spiros Zodhiates Th.D., The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament (Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 1992), 139