Verse of the Day 10/3

Verse of the Day 10/3

1 Peter 1:3-4

English Standard Version

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,

Recently, I posted Ephesians 2:4-5 where the Apostle Paul stated "but God, rich in mercy" and because of His great love for us "made us alive together" with Christ.  In today's verses from 1 Peter, the Apostle Peter echoes the same basic principles . God who is rich in mercy, when we were dead in our sins, made us alive, caused us to be born again, to a living hope.  

Think of that living hope for a moment, no, longer, dwell on that for a while and think of what it means to you.  Read the short passage below think about our salvation that is "kept in heaven" for us, safe and secure.  A hope that will deliver us from "various trials", that will end up bringing praise, glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ.

David Jeremiah writes, "The sweet mercy of God covers the highway in front of every sinner headed toward judgment. He blesses the just and the unjust, and His handiwork is manifested in all directions. He is merciful beyond measure and loving beyond limits. Those determined to head down the broad road leading to destruction must wade through the merciful blessings of God who seeks to turn them back. Oh, that the tracks of all who reject Him would be slowed by His mercy until they turn toward eternal life! "

The two most influential people in my life, my wife Jean and our son Jeff, put this "living hope" on display for me every day.  Dealing with ongoing physical and health trials, they press on in hope, relying on God's mercy and look to the day when we will meet Jesus face to face.  Even this living hope is not something that comes from within ourselves, it is the power of God.

1 Peter 1:5

English Standard Version

5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

How great the chasm that lay between us
How high the mountain I could not climb
In desperation, I turned to heaven
And spoke Your name into the night
Then through the darkness, Your loving-kindness
Tore through the shadows of my soul
The work is finished, the end is written
Jesus Christ, my living hope

[Verse 2]
Who could imagine so great a mercy?
What heart could fathom such boundless grace?
The God of ages stepped down from glory
To wear my sin and bear my shame
The cross has spoken, I am forgiven
The King of kings calls me His own
Beautiful Savior, I'm Yours forever
Jesus Christ, my living hope. (Living Hope - Phil Wickham)

May you have and treasure this living hope today.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

1 Peter 1:3-9

English Standard Version

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.