Living Hope Day 20

Living Hope Day 20 Reading:

1 Peter 5:12-14

Ponder

I was a shy, quiet kid. I still am, though I probably shouldn’t use the word “kid” to describe myself anymore. I’m an introvert by nature, and, because of all of that, going away to college was a defining moment in my life. 

I grew up in a small, rural town and went to a small K-12 school. I have a twin brother, and we’d walked through every one of life’s milestones together up until that point. Yet when my parents drove away from my dorm that day, I remember feeling so alone. The heat was seeping into the soles of my shoes from the hot pavement, but I stood and I watched until I couldn’t see their car anymore. I was more alone than I’d ever been in my life.  

My parents had hugged me before they left, and I remembered my mom’s final words all throughout that first year of college: “We love you, and we’re so proud of you. And you can come home whenever you want!” 

Final words and final moments matter. As Peter closed out his letter, he had a few final words for these early Christians: 

• Be encouraged. What you’re experiencing is not out of the ordinary and this present suffering bears witness to the true grace of God. In other words, don’t be afraid.  

• Rest in God’s grace. God has captured you by his grace, and he will sustain you in his grace. Your job is to continue to stand firm in his grace. He is your living hope.

• You’re not alone. Silas, John Mark, the church in Babylon—Peter pointed to a number of believers from all around the ancient world who stood in solidarity with these suffering Christians. They were praying, and Peter’s readers could rest in the truth that other believers cared and saw their suffering. We can and should remember the same truth today. 

We live in a world that’s full of evil and suffering, but we’re not alone. The living hope we have in Christ outshines all the pain and glory this world has to offer. Peace be with you today and always. 

Journal

• How will you choose to let God’s Word, his people and his Spirit encourage you today? 

• What steps will you take to rest in God’s grace today, rather than striving to make things better on your own? 

• How have you experienced Jesus as your living hope? Explain. 

• Who in your life needs to know that they’re not alone? How can you reach out to them?