Be Hopeful (1 Peter 5:10–11)

Peter closed on a positive note and reminded his readers that God knew what He was doing and was in complete control. No matter how difficult the fiery trial may become, a Christian always has hope. Peter gave several reasons for this hopeful attitude.

10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

I. We have God’s grace.

Our salvation is because of His grace. He called us before we called on Him. We have “tasted that the Lord is gracious”, so we are not afraid of anything that He purposes for us. His grace is “manifold” and meets every situation of life.

As we submit to Him, He gives us the grace that we need. In fact, He is “the God of all grace.” He has grace to help in every time of need. God gives us more grace then we deserve, and we must stand in that grace.

II. We know we are going to glory.

He has “called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus.” This is the wonderful inheritance into which we were born. Whatever begins with God’s grace will always lead to God’s glory. If we depend on God’s grace when we suffer, that suffering will result in glory. The road may be difficult, but it leads to glory, and that is all that really counts.

Additionally, God will make followers of Christ strong, providing us with courage to go on. He will make us firm and steadfast, so that our foundation in him is secure. The only appropriate response to the restorative and strengthening power of God is to celebrate this grace in praise.

III. Our present suffering is only for a while.

The sufferings of believers can be intense, but God’s grace is stronger still. This grace is expressed particularly in God’s calling of believers to eternal glory. Before glory arrives, however, believers must suffer.

Still, the suffering is for a short while. Saying that the suffering will last a short time does not mean that it will only last for a brief interval during the earthly sojourn of believers. The short time period refers to the entire interval before eternal glory commences. The sufferings of this life will seem as if they lasted a little while when compared to the eternal glory that endures forever.

IV. We know that our trials are building Christian character.

God has several tools which He uses to equip His people for life and service, and suffering is one of them. The Word of God is another tool. He also uses the fellowship and ministry of the church. Our Saviour in heaven is perfecting His children so that they will do His will and His work.

Peter used three words to describe the kind of character God wants us to have.

a. Establish means “to fix firmly, to set fast.” Christians must not be unsteady in their stand for Christ. Our hearts need to be established, and this is accomplished by God’s truth. The believer who is established will not be moved by persecution, or led away by false doctrine.

b. Strengthen means just that: God’s strength given to us to meet the demands of life. What good is it to stand on a firm foundation if we do not have power to act?

c. Settle is the translation of a word that means “to lay a foundation.” The house founded on the rock withstood the storm. A believer who is equipped by God will “continue in the faith grounded and settled”.

3. God builds character and brightens hope when a believer trusts Him and depends on His grace. The result is that God receives the glory forever and ever. But, whatever may come, Peter is still saying to each of us—BE HOPEFUL! The glory is soon to come!