Be My Guide Oh Lord With Daily Devotions

TUESDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2023

TEXT: 1 Peter 1:1-12

1. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

2. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

8. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

10. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

11. Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

12. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

(King James Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: NEW BIRTH INTO A LIVING HOPE

The saying, "There is no place like home" comes in handy in today's passage.

Christians longed for their home land because they were scattered and in trouble which brought suffering and trials of all kinds (vs. 1-6). During this period, Emperor Nero (AD 54-68) accused Christians of doing wrong in Rome.

They were persecuted, some were burnt alive while others were thrown into arenas to be devoured by wild animals. However, Peter, in vs. 2h, prayed for grace and peace in abundance for the Christians.

The situation is almost the same with what Christians are facing in Nigeria today as they are being killed, persecuted, denied basic rights, etc. But in all of these, we should know that we are strangers in this world (vs.1).

Both the persecutors and the persecuted will leave this world and that is why the new birth into a living hope is a very vital privilege.

So, even if you lose everything on earth due to sickness, persecution, death, etc, you would not lose heaven (cf. John 14:1-3) and God has shielded us by His power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed (vs. 5).

QUESTION: Have you experienced this new birth into a living hope?

PRAYER: Dear Father; thank You for the new birth in to a living hope I have in You, it is a privilege to know You and be saved by You. Help me to live my life with the knowledge of this hope in You, in Jesus name. Amen.