Daily Prayer Devotional for Women and Men | OnlinePrayerJournal

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For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.

¹  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,  2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. Praise to God for a Living Hope 3 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,  4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,  5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,  9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,  11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.  12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

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Peter writes to those who are ‘exiles’ (v. 1), those physically scattered across the ancient world. Many of us may have had to move across cities or continents, away from our place of birth, for higher studies, to get a job, or after getting married, or perhaps even after one’s family members pass away. Distances can be dislocating. We may know people who are mentally, emotionally, or psychologically dislocated. This century has been one of rapid change. Technological, political, and environmental changes may have affected our ability to make plans. Old patterns are not reliable reference points or even anchors, but God is our personal anchor. It is refreshing to contrast the thoughts of exile and change with the stability of God’s planning, his loving motivations, and his initiative in bringing us into his kingdom by being born again (v. 3). This anchor is for each of us individually, through Jesus, who came to earth, died, was buried, and rose again. Time is under God’s total authority. My past and present are connected through Jesus’ resurrection by God’s plans and God’s wisdom. I may not see it, but God does. My blindness, disbelief, or incomprehension does not matter. Our future is protected by the very power of this omnipotent and loving God. If we internalize this hope, such convictions can anchor us during difficult times (vv. 6–8). Yes, life’s trials are real—but God’s planning and power are wiser and deeper. God’s focus is on refining, proving, and testing our faith (vv. 7, 9). Trials of all kinds come to us and can draw us into a deeper dependence on him. This brings glory to Jesus through a life of faithfulness and trust.

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