Table of Contents
We live in a world of technology. Today there are many avenues where a person can stay informed. The question is can we be guaranteed that the information you and I are seeking is truthful? Where can we find the truth in these troubling times?
We all know that the internet is the mega encyclopedia of all time. There isn’t any excuse for most people to be uninformed. However, the problem is that you need to carefully evaluate all the plethora of information to really find the truth of the situation.
When seeking truth in these troubling times, there is only one place you can be guaranteed to find the whole truth that you and I can trust and rely on. Moreover, the truth we need is only found in reading the Word of God. This is where we also find the hope that is so desperately needed around the world today.
First Peter Chapter One
The Word of God is what has sustained me throughout my life. When I chased butterflies and wandered off the path that led me away from God, He held on to me. When I found myself lost in the woods of life, He guided me back to where I needed to be.
Therefore, as I was reading 1st Peter chapter one, the Lord brought my attention to the many truths just in this first chapter alone! Therefore, I want to share with you these truths so you can also find hope and truth in these troubled times!
I will start with verse 3 from the Amplified version, highlighting what jumped out to me.
Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1Peter 1:3)
Jesus Christ gives us purpose in our temporary life on this earth. We are set apart for His purpose. We also can have an ever-living hope and confident assurance in Him. This verse also fills me with hope as I read that His mercy toward me is abundant and boundless. Therefore, I can rely on the truth of His Word above all else!
[born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable… reserved in heaven for you, who are being protected and shielded by the power of God … (1Peter 1:4-5)
The Truth Is…
The truth is, for us who have trusted in Jesus Christ, we have an imperishable inheritance waiting for us. Moreover, unlike the financial chaos around us, our inheritance is secure and unaffected by the ups and downs of the stock market.
Then I am reminded that I am “being protected and shielded by the power of God through [my] faith for salvation”…. (1Peter 1:5). Moreover, I can “rejoice greatly,” even when I am “distressed by various trials,” (1Peter 1:6). Here lies the hope that I need. This is the truth in these troubling times I can rely on.
“so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1Peter 1:7)
This year for me has been like a yo-yo toy. Ups and downs, dos, and don’ts. Walk here, go in this door, go out that door. Wear a mask when you walk in and take it off once you are at your table. Little of anything I read or see in the news makes sense anymore. However, we must hold onto Jesus through it all knowing that our end result as verse 9 below states, is our salvation through Christ our Lord!
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy, receiving as the result [the outcome, the consummation] of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1Peter 1:8-9)
How Should We Live?
Verses 13-17 tell us to:
- Prepare our minds for action
- Be completely sober [in spirit—steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert],
- Fix our hope completely on the grace [of God]
- [Live] as obedient children [of God];
- Do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance
- Be holy in all our conduct
- Conduct ourselves in [reverent] fear and with profound respect
- (see 1Peter 1:13-17)
I find it telling that first and foremost, Peter informs us that we must prepare our minds for action. Our minds are the battleground where we will either prevail or submit to the onslaught of the enemy.
We become what we fill our minds with. If we load our minds with all the garbage readily available, it will result in garbage coming out of our hearts via our mouths and actions. Our mind must be filled with the Word of God. It is His truth that will keep you prepared for the days ahead.
Why should We Live This Way?
“For you know that you were not redeemed from your useless [spiritually unproductive] way of life…with perishable things like silver and gold, 19 but [you were actually purchased] with…the priceless blood of Christ.” (1Peter 1:18)
“And through Him, you believe [confidently] in God…so that your faith and hope are [centered and rest] in God.“ (1Peter 1:21)
Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ you and I were redeemed, purchased by His precious blood from bondage in the service of Satan and his wicked world system. We were without hope of ever becoming free. Just trudging day after day without purpose and empty.
But now we are free and full of hope in the midst of this worldly chaos. We know our Father God speaks the truth in these troubling times and we can rest assured that we will overcome whatever comes our way. “And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death.” – (Revelation 12:11)
Love One Another
Since by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves for a sincere love of the believers, [see that you] love one another from the heart [always unselfishly seeking the best for one another]“ (1Peter 1:22)
“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers and the flower falls off, But the word of the Lord endures forever.” (1Peter 1:24-25)
What should we be doing in the midst of the chaos? Trusting in the truth of the Word of God. Filling our hearts and minds with His truth, loving others, and encouraging them with the truth of the Lord. There is hope to be found in the Lord our Savior! There is truth in these troubling times to be found, in God. Why? because the Word of the Lord endures forever!
Jesus is at the door. Stand firm! It will not be much longer saints!
