Sometimes the hardships of life can feel overwhelming.
That’s true now just as it was in the days of the early church. While studying 1 Peter 1:1-9, which was addressed to suffering Christians, I started thinking about the various difficulties believers face today. Many people in churches are running low on hope because of medical, financial, or other issues that seem to have no solution.
How about you? Are you feeling defeated by your challenges?
Peter knew that even Christians can become deeply discouraged when times are tough. Jesus said we’d have trouble in this world, so earthly circumstances can’t be the foundation for your hope (John 16:33). You need eternal hope—hope that is bigger than your problems. And that’s exactly what Jesus offers.
Imagine how the disciples felt when they thought their dream of a victorious Messiah was shattered. They saw Jesus dragged off to face trial for crimes He didn’t commit. He was beaten and crucified. When their Savior died and was buried, they assumed their dream was gone, too. In their eyes, they’d wasted time following Him because His death proved He wasn’t the Messiah after all.
If you’ve ever felt weak in faith or bereft of hope, you’re not alone.
It’s not unusual to come to the Lord with requests for healing, financial security, or other solutions, only to find that the trials remain. When we experience immediate resolutions, we feel very comforted. But when God gives no relief even after we’ve prayed earnestly, where’s our hope then?
In such times, I urge you to focus on God’s timeless truths.
Jesus told His disciples multiple times that He was going to be crucified and would rise again, but they never took this message to heart; it wasn’t what they wanted to hear (Matt. 20:17-19). So they became upset when events didn’t turn out as they desired. This is what happens when we’re looking for hope in the wrong place and not focusing on truths from God’s Word.
When Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples saw a seemingly hopeless situation turn into a miraculous triumph that lifted them from the depths of despair.
So some years later, when Peter wrote that letter to the church, he wanted to encourage those who’d become dispirited by earthly problems. He called the resurrection of Christ a living hope that will never die, even when circumstances look bleak (1 Pet. 1:3).
Peter reminded the suffering believers that their trials were testing and refining their faith, so that it would be proved genuine and result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus returns (vv. 6-7). There’s no better truth to keep in mind when you face your own sufferings.
What is this hope the resurrection of Christ provides? Let’s take a closer look.
First, His resurrection assures us that our sins are forgiven.
Think about this. Our redemption required a perfect sacrifice, over which death would have no power (Heb. 9:12). Jesus’ resurrection is proof that our sins, when placed on Him, could not defeat Him. Instead, He rose triumphant from the grave. Therefore, the Father accepted His Son’s death on the cross as sufficient payment for our sins. Doesn’t this make His resurrection a reason for tremendous joy?
Our second hope is assurance that Jesus is going to be with us.
After His resurrection, Jesus made this promise to His followers: “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). The temporal age Jesus referred to has not yet come to a close. You are a part of it right now, so you can be sure that even in hardships, He’s present with you.
A third hope is confidence in God’s power working in us.
We “are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Pet. 1:5). Jesus’ resurrection made it possible for us to become part of God’s household. There, we’re protected as we grow in Christ (Eph. 2:19-22). God is continually empowering you to become the person He wants you to be, Christlike in every way: “It has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2).
Our fourth hope is the ultimate one—our resurrection from the dead.
Jesus’ resurrection guarantees that we too will be raised and given new glorified bodies (Phil. 3:20-21). There will be no more pain, death, or trouble. This truth should fill you to overflowing with hope, because the sufferings of this present life cannot be compared with the eternal glory that awaits (Rom. 8:18).
When life is hard and your hope is waning, remember the living hope of Christ’s resurrection that we celebrate on Easter.
Our true home is in heaven. When your hopes and dreams seem dashed, remind yourself that there you’ll see your Savior face to face and be with Him forever. And until then, He walks with you every step of the way.
Prayerfully yours,
Charles F. Stanley
P.S. As we celebrate our 45th year in ministry, I’m more excited than ever about all the ways In Touch shares the gospel and the walk of faith: through TV, radio, books, prayer cards, study guides, the internet—we’re always looking to proclaim the hope of Christ and assist you as you grow in Him. I hope our many discipleship resources will bless you for many years to come.