2021 Daily Devotion - Day 293

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1 Peter 1:3 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Here the Apostle Peter says God is “blessed”. It doesn’t mean we could bless God as in a benediction, but rather, it is a word of praise and thanksgiving to God. We are thankful, He says, for several things. He says we are thankful for His “great mercy”. There is a difference between grace and mercy. Grace means we are given something we don’t deserve (like forgiveness), and mercy means we do not receive something we do deserve (like judgement).

So we have received mercy because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and not God’s punishment, for Jesus took our punishment for us. He goes on to say He has “caused us to be born again”, which is in the passive and means it is done to you and not by you. You were born again in your baptism which is what Nicodemus was told in John 3 when Jesus said it is through “water and the the spirit” that you are born again. And we were given a “living hope” because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a “living” hope. He doesn’t use the Greek word “bio” for living, since that would just mean to exist. But rather, he used the Greek word "zoe" which means a life that is deep and fulfilling. Our hope is rich and meaningful. Our hope is alive and is always available. And this, He says, is because Jesus rose from the dead. This is the ultimate proof of God keeping His promises, and therefore, we have a “living” hope.

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us a living hope. The world could only offer shallow hope through power and materialism. But the hope You give is rich and deep and guaranteed through our Lord Jesus Christ in whose name we pray. Amen.

Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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