"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
–1 Peter 1:3
The gospel is a promise of hope.
Hope has been described as confidence in the fog. Even when we can't see, we know there is someone who sees through the fog and can direct us along the way.
Hope is the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel." Or for us, it is a voice in the tunnel.
The Bible talks a lot about this topic but is clear to distinguish gospel hope from worldly hope.
Worldly hope is based on temporary and fleeting things such as wealth, fame, comfort, and success. When these things are lost or taken away, the hope built on them crumbles.
In contrast, Christian hope is not based on human circumstances. Rather, it is rooted in the character and promises of God.
The Scriptures speak of God as a sovereign Father who "works all things for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28). All things are not good in themselves. Nevertheless, God is able to guide sinful and harmful events in such a way that leads to unexpected blessing.
We see this in the life of Abraham in the Old Testament. Reflecting on his experience, Romans 4:18-21 says,
"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."
We also see hope displayed in Joseph's life. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and later falsely accused and imprisoned. For him, hope was knowing the Lord had a plan for his life. Even though he experienced profoundly difficult circumstances, God orchestrated them for good, allowing Joseph's suffering to save his family and bring blessing to many during a severe famine.
Joseph would tell his brothers, "What you meant for evil, the Lord meant for good" (Genesis 50:20).
Hope is the confident expectation and assurance of what God has promised to do. It is not merely a feeling or wishful thinking. It's a conviction that God will fulfill his promises and remain faithful to his character as a sovereign, good, wise, loving Father.
This does not mean hard things will not happen. It means when we face trials and uncertainty (when the fog closes in), we can trust the promises and plans of God as a Father who has the best in mind for his children.
This is most clearly seen in the person and work of Jesus as God's own Son.
In Acts 2:22-24, Peter preaches the first sermon after the resurrection of Jesus, saying,
22 Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. 23 He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. 24 But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its clutches.
The cross was a horrific scandal. Jesus, the perfectly innocent, righteous Son of God, the Christ, was brutally executed in the prime of his life.
How could God work this injustice for good?
In the moment it would have been hard to see. But Peter's sermon in Acts 2 clears the fog for us, showing that what men meant for evil, God designed for good. The greatest good imaginable. Our salvation!
Because of the finished work of Jesus, we now may receive the promise of hope in 1 Peter 1:3 with joy, where the apostle writes,
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
Because the gospel is a promise of hope.
Discussion Questions
How is Christian hope different from worldly hope?
How does the death and resurrection of Jesus serve as the ground for Christian hope?
How does hope in God's plan for our lives give us the strength to persevere when life is a fog of hardship and uncertainty?
How does having an eternal perspective change the way we see our current circumstances?
What is something for which you need hope today?
A Suggested Prayer
Dear Father,
Thank you for the hope that we have in the finished work of Jesus through the cross. We know that you are sovereign and are working all things for our good. So, help us to trust in your promises when life is a fog so that we may live with faith and perseverance, for our joy and your glory.
For we pray in Jesus' name, Amen.