The Faith to Hope Again
In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen. (1 Peter 5:10–11)
The ink from Peter’s pen leaves an indelible impression on our lives. Along with everything else he tells and teaches us, I want to mention four lasting lessons, four secrets of life, that stand out in bold relief. All of these give us hope beyond our misery.
First, when our faith is weak, joy strengthens us.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that at the revelation of His glory, you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. (1 Peter 4:12–13 NASB)
No matter how dark the clouds, the sun will eventually pierce the darkness and dispel it; no matter how heavy the rain, the sun will ultimately prevail to hang a rainbow in the sky. Joy will chase away the clouds hovering over our faith and prevail over the disheartening trials that drench our lives.
Second, when our good is mistreated, endurance stabilizes us.
For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person endures grief when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. (1 Peter 2:19–20 NASB)
The word endure in 1 Peter 2:20 means, “to bear up under a load,” as a donkey bears up under the load its owner has stacked high on its back. This patient bearing of life’s cumbersome loads is made possible by love, made steadfast by hope, and made easier by example.
Third, when our confidence is shaken, love supports us.
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8 NASB)
Love is the pillar of support when our world comes crumbling down around us. That’s why, when warning about the end times, Peter puts love on the top of the survival checklist.
Fourth, when our adversary attacks, resistance shields us.
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8–9 NASB)
When Satan stalks us like a roaring lion, we’re not instructed to freeze, to hide, or to tuck tail and run. We’re told to resist. And that resistance forms a shield to protect us from our adversary’s predatory claws.
Peter wrote his letter to help us hope again. Hope to grow up even when we, like Peter, have failed and fallen. Hope to endure, even through life’s hurts. Hope to believe, even when dreams fade.
Taken from Hope Again by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1996 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com
