1 Peter 1:1-12.  Peter writes to Christians who are going through “various trials” which grieve them and threaten to steal their hope.  He seeks to encourage them by reminding them of God’s sovereign plan.

1. In the past,  they were unsaved.  God chose to redeem them and sprinkled them with the atoning blood of Christ, and sanctified them by the presence of his Holy Spirit so that they could obey Christ.  They were born again.
2. In the present,  they are being guarded through faith as they rejoice over their past and anticipate future glory.  The trials they face will test their faith, but cannot destroy their inheritance, defile it, or make it fade.
3. The prophets who predicted Christ’s suffering and glory attest to the inheritance of his followers as well.  Just as Jesus suffered, and is now glorified, so all believers who suffer now will see glory in the future.

LORD, help us to persevere through the times of testing, so that the glory that is our living hope shines through.