Last week, I received an email that brought hope. Nothing in the present situation changed, but hope changed my perspective. The verse that came to mind is from Paul’s letter to believers in Rome.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
- Earlier in that passage, Paul said that Christ’s ministry was “that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy” (Romans 15:9).
- We receive joy and peace from the God of all hope so that we might glorify God.
What brings you hope?
Even more so, Paul reminded believers in Colosse that
“God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). 
- Paul and Silas received hope and freedom so they could tell others about Jesus, for His glory.
- Our hope is not only for our glory, but that we will see God’s glory revealed.
At the beginning of this series, we read the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1, which I believe also defines hope. Hope and faith go hand-in-hand.
What does it mean to see God’s glory revealed?
More than one scholar includes suffering and persecution as themes in Peter’s first letter. Last week, I had the opportunity to study and talk about Paul’s first experience in Philippi, including his arrest. God literally shook loose Paul and Silas’s bonds to free them. They were released to continue the work of ministry. It’s all about God and His message of great love and redemption, for His glory.
How have you been set free to walk forward in God’s purpose(s) for your life?
Peter wrote to believers who would certainly face persecution in the future, if not already. Jesus made it clear that those who follow Him will suffer persecution (Matthew 5:11).
God gives us hope and joy for His glory. We receive those things in times of persecution or suffering or the daily business of following Jesus. Perhaps it’s safe to say that
*persecution (suffering) leads to hope which leads to glory
No matter how we define persecution or experience it in our Christian life, persecution and suffering have a purpose.
Easier said than lived.
How have you experienced hope in times of persecution or suffering?
Let’s look at Peter as an example, someone who
- observed healing hope as Jesus’ disciple. (Luke 22:49-51, John 18:10-11)
- experienced hope as one who was restored to Jesus. (John 21:17, 19)
- wrote to the persecuted church to give hope. (1 Peter 1:3, 13, 21)
A quick glimpse at Peter’s background:
- Peter had a believing spouse. (1 Corinthians 9:5)
- Jesus appeared to Peter after the resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:5)
- Peter had originally been given the task of preaching to the Jews. (Galatians 2:7-9)
- Peter declared Jesus as the Christ. (Matthew 16:13-20)
- Peter claimed to be an eyewitness of everything Jesus did in His ministry, including His suffering, death, and resurrection. (Acts 2:32, 10:39, 1 Peter 5:1)
What does any of this have to do with us?
Peter did those things based not only on his unique background, but also out of his personal encounters with Jesus the Messiah. Christ offers believers today a personal experience with Him as well.
How can we follow Peter’s example by
- observing healing hope?
- experiencing hope through restoration to Jesus?
- sharing hope with others, especially believers facing persecution or suffering?
Peter wrote to
- God’s elect
- (those) scattered throughout the provinces…
- 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
God’s Word contains this truth over and over again, as encouragement and godly instruction for believers.
- God knew ahead of time those who would choose Him.
- Those people He determined would be called according to His purpose.
- They would choose and accept Christ’s righteousness offered through His sacrificial death on the cross. (paraphrased from Romans 8:29-30)
Believers are set apart by the Spirit for the work of telling everyone about God’s redeeming love.
Our right standing with God through Jesus’ blood shed on the cross draws us to follow Christ in obedience.
No matter what we face this week, our hope is in God.
In closing, Paul’s prayer for all of us:
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in His holy people” (Ephesians 1:17-18).