Living Hope

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. - 1 Peter 1:1‭-‬9 ESV

Rev.  Dwight Yoo

The nature of hope

We don't have the same hope as hoping for something that may or may not come. Christians have a hope based upon the resurrection of Jesus. It is based upon a promise from God. It is not wishful thinking. Hope gives our lives meaning. In the Christian view, faith is confident expectation.

The object of hope

Even of you lose all your earthly things, you h have a heavenly inheritance that no one can take away. What is this inheritance? It is not just houses. It is many things, but primarily it is God himself. God's salvation includes many rewards and heaven, but above all it is living and bring in the presence with Jesus & God.

The power of hope

The confident expectation of heaven can allow us to endure suffering. We can find joy, and sometimes, even rejoice in the midst of persecution and pain. Trials are for refining our faith. It is not God testing us, but God working on us through tough situations.

We are constantly tempted to put our hopes in other things rather than in God and heavenly things. Pain forces us to confront whether we believe what God says. Whether God and God alone is enough. All our other hopes can disappoint. How can we know that we can withstand these trials and tribulations? The word says we are guarded by God's power. God gives faith and salvation, then he guards us for that salvation.