Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 1 Peter 1-2 and Psalm 43

The letter called 1 Peter was written by the apostle Peter from the great city of Rome during the reign of Nero, who was the instigator of horrendous persecution of believers. Peter wrote to Christians who had been “scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia” (v.1).

It’s a letter filled with inspiration to the believers to remain faithful to Christ and to live lives worthy of our calling. Simultaneously, it is characterised by a tone of praise to the Lord for the incredible blessings of our salvation. In 1 Peter 1:3-4, he writes:

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 world and its evil powers could throw wave after wave of persecution at these early Christians, but it could never rob them of the living hope they had in Jesus Christ. Jesus had been put to death, but even death could not hold Him. His resurrection and His power over death now gave them the steadfast assurance that even the worst possible persecution could never rob them of their eternal inheritance in Christ Jesus. Instead, in the face of great suffering they were “filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1:8) and they knew themselves to be “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that (they) may declare the praises of him who called (them) out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (2:8)

Life Application: When life gets tough, cling to the truth of who you are in Christ Jesus and, trusting in His great power and love, live to the praise of His glory!