THURSDAY
JANUARY 18
READ:
1 Peter
1:3-13
He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus.
Then the scientists placed another rat in the water. This time, as the poor rodent neared exhaustion after about 35 minutes, the scientists rescued it.
The result: When that same rat was placed in the water again (after a little rest), it kicked and swam for hours. Why? It had the hope of being rescued, so it didn't give up as easily.
Hope can do that. The promise of better times ahead can help us withstand the toughest of times, filling us with energy we didn't know we had.
Christians in the first century knew about this--from experience! They had begun to suffer persecution under Nero. Some even lost their lives. But the church endured, because those early believers knew that heaven awaited them.
So when Peter encouraged them to "set [their] hope fully on the grace to be given [them] when Jesus Christ is revealed" (v.13), they took his advice to heart.
As a person who has trusted in Christ, you have that same hope of Christ's return. Whatever you have to give up because of your faith-- friends, reputation, chances for advancement--you have hope of something better awaiting you.
Are you beginning to feel like the rat in the experiment, desperately treading water? Set your hope on Christ's promises. His resurrection gives us the assurance that helps to keep us going, even when we've been in deep water for a long time. --JC
