1 Peter 1:3–9 (ESV): Born Again to a Living Hope

3 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, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 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. 8 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, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

“Yes, your life is hard right now. You are being called to do difficult things under the heat of the sun in this fallen world.  You are called to say no to feelings of discouragement and the desire to quit.  You are called to persevere, doing the same good things over and over again until they become second nature to you.  You are called to work with others who are going through the same hardship and you are called to submit to the wise commands of your Savior King.  You will face hardship tomorrow and the day to follow, but your hardship will not last forever.  Yes, there will be moments of comfort along the way – times of rest, healing, and retreat – but they will be followed by more hardship;  You must face these repeated hardships because the place where you are is not your destination.  No, it is the place of preparation for the final destination that is to come.  Preparation is hard, but you and I aren’t ready, so we need to be made ready for the final place that will be our home.  Today, thank God that he has a home waiting for you and that he loves you enough to used hardship to make you ready for your welcome to your final home.  Your preparation won‘t last forever, but your destination will have no end.”  Paul Tripp

Abba,

These were my words, just yesterday….

“I can’t bear it.

It’s too much.

The pain, the brokenness, the heartache, the grief.

The weight is oppressive.  Crushing.

My soul aches with the sorrow.

My emotions….they are erratic and chaotic”

This life hurts.   It is hard.  Feels unbearable some days. 

Tears flow freely. 

Sorrow presses down. 

Fear cripples. 

Hurts persist like open sores that refuse to heal.

Disappointment blooms into resentment.

Failure chases like a predator in pursuit of its dinner.

The ache of longing nags at the soul.

Grief refuses to be comforted.

Hope wavers.

Faith falters.

This is life in this broken world.  I see it.  I feel it. 

Abba, as one who has been entrusted with the safekeeping of your flock, I see it all the more.  Yesterday found me on my knees for the brokenness of this world.

Dearly beloved, yesterday found me on my knees…for you….and for me.

The hardships of the world are beyond our strength to carry.  That is why these words are so precious…

“Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”. Matthew 11:28-30

Abba, grant us the strength to surrender our burdens to your hands; to set down our packs at your feet and allow you, the creator of all, to bear the burdens of this life that we are not capable of bearing. 

Grant us the wisdom and sight to see how these hardships are working to produce an eternal reward that is still yet beyond our view. 

You offer peace.  You offer rest.  The very sound of those words produce an ache of longing in our battered souls. 

And so we come.

We come…

Remembering that the truth of 1 Peter tells us that this hardship brings with us joy immeasurable and eternal!  The hardships we face are producing an eternal weight of glory, Abba.  The hardship are producing in us something that we will reap eternal benefits from one day. 

While we wait for that day, may we surrender our burdens to your capable care and in so doing, find rest, peace from the hardships that threaten to overwhelm. 

We love you and we trust you, Abba.  We lay it all at your feet and we humbly accept the path you have for us now, awaiting that day of eternal glory you are preparing.

We love you!

Amen.