This post is Day 20 in a series of studies about “Hope”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Hope – Day 20

If Christ reigns in our hearts, everything will be OK, whatever difficulties we have to go through along the road. Often we go through those difficulties in order to be a witness to others. In the very next chapter, Peter tells his readers to expect difficulties, calling them fiery ordeals.

1 Peter 3:15-16

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

The Thought

Giving a reason for the hope we have is a good follow on from yesterday when we saw that Herod’s hope was completely unfounded and wrongly placed. Peter’s first sentence in this passage is the key to much of the success we desire and pray for in our daily lives: But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.

This should be a starting point for everything we do. If Christ reigns in our hearts, everything will be OK, whatever difficulties we have to go through along the road. Often we go through those difficulties in order to be a witness to others. In the following chapter, Peter tells his readers to expect difficulties, calling them fiery ordeals (1 Peter 4:12).

Often the testimonies and good stories that come out of problem situations make any suffering worthwhile. Personally, I often think of the gall bladder problem which took me to a hospital a very long way from home, and kept me there for more days than I would have wanted. I had prayed many times for healing, and others had prayed too, but God had a bigger plan, and I am so glad He didn’t answer those prayers! You can read my story in the book “Transported by the Lion of Judah” available here.

Action

Read 1 Peter 3:12-19 and put it into practice today. Be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about your faith, or even to bring it into conversation even if people don’t ask.

Ask the Lord to help you be a better witness for Him today.

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