02-09-2025 Reasons to Praise the Lord

Text: I Peter 1:1-9

                    Sometimes when things are going tough in our lives we think that we have no reason to praise the Lord.  But Peter, who was known as a man with a temper, had trouble with temptation, and even denied Jesus shows us how that this simply isn’t true.  Our text this morning is found in I Peter 1:1-9 where Peter wrote:  “ (1) Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (2) elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ:  Grace unto you, and peace be multiplied.  (3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in Heaven for you, (5) who are kept by the  power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  (6) Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations (7) that the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ; (8) Whom having not seen, you love; in Whom, though now you see Him not, yet you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, (9) receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”

                   Peter wrote this letter to encourage believers who at the time would face persecution under Emperor Nero.  Remember that for most of the first century, Christians suffered persecution from the Romans, the Jews, and even their own families.  Even though Christians today may not experience the depth of persecution as those who lived in the first century, Peter’s encouragement still helps us today because it shows that in spite of life’s difficulties, there are still reasons to praise the Lord. 

                   He specifically tells us in verse 3 that we can praise God because of the ‘lively hope’ He has given us by the resurrection of Jesus.  People without Christ as their Savior have nothing to look forward to as Paul confirms in Ephesians 2:12.  What they will face after this life is eternity in Hell.  Because Jesus is alive, as Christians our salvation is guaranteed and our resurrection into eternal life is a certainty as confirmed in I Corinthians 15.

                   Verse 4 of our text tells us that we can praise God for the lasting inheritance we have.  Peter was the son of a poor fisherman so his earthly inheritance would have been small if anything at all.  But when he left the family business to follow Jesus it’s likely his family and friends may have wondered what was wrong with him for giving up any hope of a secured future.  But Jesus showed Peter that he indeed does have a great inheritance ahead of him that is ‘incorruptible.’  That means it can’t fade away because it’s real.  His inheritance is ‘undefiled’ because it is pure and it is reserved for him in Heaven.  As children of Adam, we all became a perishing people among perishing things.  But because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we will no longer perish after death because we have an inheritance waiting for us in eternity with Him.

                   Verses 5-7 shows us that we are never alone on our Christian walk because God gives us a lifetime of powerful protection.  The Holy Spirit exerts God’s protection over us when our faith is firmly planted in the Cross.  God cares for us each and every day of our lives here on earth.  He also provides the power we need to overcome temptation.  Does that mean that we won’t have trouble and hard times?  No.  But our testing and trials are temporary in the grand timeframe of eternity.  The trials we go though in this life are refining us and making us more fit to live in eternity. 

                   When gold is heated, impurities float to the top and can be skimmed off.  Likewise, our trials, struggles, pain, and persecutions refine us by burning away sinful impurities.  This makes our faith purer and stronger so that we can be more like Jesus in the eyes of God . 

                   Remember the Disciple Thomas who came to believe only after seeing the resurrected Jesus?  John 20:29 records Jesus saying at that time:  “Because you have seen Me, you have believed.  Blessed are they who have not seen and yet have believed.”  We are those who are blessed because we believe in Jesus even though we have not seen Him in the flesh.  Peter also heard those words spoken to Thomas and is echoing them in verses 8 and 9.  Even though we haven’t seen Jesus, we can still love and trust Him.  It is our faith that brings both salvation and the promise of a day when pain and sorrow will end, and perfect justice will begin.  Our faith will finally be rewarded, and evil will be punished. 

                   So, what should we do until then?  The Bible gives us a simple but difficult answer:  Because we know the future, we must faithfully serve God here and now.  If today that means resolving a conflict, mending a hurt, working a dull job, disciplining a difficult child, rebuilding a marriage, or just giving guidance to someone that is lost, do it all with the joy of our God, who will return the reward to us just as He promised in His Word.

                   Instead of asking, ‘Why me?’ work at reacting to life’s suffering and pain with three new responses.  First, always be confident that God knows, plans, and directs your live for your good and His glory.  You can always trust that God provides His love and strength for you and is leading you toward a better future.  Second, always persevere.  With the help of the Holy Spirit, you can continue through life’s problems and difficulties even when you’re facing grief, anger, uncertainty, sorrow, and pain.  Yes, express your grief, but never give in to bitterness and despair.  And third, always have courage because with Jesus as your Savior, you never have to be afraid.  He is the One who suffered for you, and He will never abandon you.  Never forget that Jesus carries us through everything we experience in this life:  the good and bad and the hard and easy.  Don’t ever be afraid to turn to Him to ask for the help and comfort you need.

                   When you focus on what God has done for you and practice the three responses to what life throws at you, you will be surprised at how easy it will be to live every day of your life praising God for what He has done for you.

                    Until we meet again, may God bless and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.