20/2/21 Day 4

TODAY'S VERSE: 20/2/21 Day 4

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance – an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay (1 Peter 1:3-4).

 

TODAY'S DEVOTION:

Nobody willingly goes through suffering without hope.

A mother endures the pain of childbirth for the hope of a child. A patient endures the pain of treatment for the hope of healing. A runner endures the pain of a marathon for the hope of a medal.

Suffering hurts, but it is justified by the hope of getting something we want.

Peter is talking about a special kind of hope, and he calls it “great expectation…a priceless inheritance.” It is “pure, undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” It is the hope of our lives, and it is unending, unfading, and untouchable. This hope is Jesus.

But Jesus suffered too. What was his hope?

Jesus was ridiculed, beaten, and abused all on the account of bogus charges. He experienced the worst of life before giving himself to death. Why on earth would he endure that kind of pain? Was it to be rewarded bliss with his Father in heaven? No, he already had that. Was it to receive authority over heaven and earth? No, he had that too.

So, what was it? What was the one thing he wanted that he did not have?

When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
  he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
  my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
  for he will bear all their sins (Isaiah 53:11)

 

What was Jesus’ hope?

You.

See that you are Jesus’ hope, and he will become your hope “beyond the reach of change and decay.”

Danny Housholder

TODAY'S PRAYER:

God, thank you for giving us untouchable hope. Thank you for entering our world and enduring ultimate suffering so that we could experience an eternal and priceless inheritance with you. In this season of Lent, remind us of how much we are loved, and teach us to love you and hope in you. Amen.




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