Read 1 Peter 1:3-9

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” 1 Peter 1:3

Watch or listen:

https://open.spotify.com/track/6zEwcLzdIHpsJVzOhVLpVC?si=pBY1jhblRL2eWIAwQPGeEA

As one of the worship leaders on staff at Grace Church, I tend to get a lot of songs shared with me. While I can’t always get to all of them and many might not make it into our services, I’m encouraged by how God is using music to inspire our people! Recently, one of our newer team members texted me a link to this song and promised that I’d be sold on it because of “tasty guitar licks” (a phrase that probably sounds odd to everyone except guitar players). After a few listens, I was drawn in to this song, and it wasn’t because of guitar licks! This song came at just the right time. Weekend of Hope was quickly approaching. I realized that our set didn’t include a single song that clearly mentioned HOPE!

This was the one!

You know, we throw around the verb “hope” pretty easily.

“I hope I get this job.”
“I hope that she’s not mad when she finds out.”
“I hope my kids turn out ok.”

The phrase “fingers crossed” comes to mind when I think about these statements. There’s not much confidence in what we are saying, just a statement of desire.

This is not the “hope” we see in our passage today. This is not the hope that Jon Reddick sings about in this song. Peter tells us that God has given us a “living hope” because Jesus rose from the grave! This hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised. We confidently look forward to eternal life with Jesus because we know with certainty that He already defeated death. He proved that whatever He promises is a done deal. When we know for certain that eternal life in glory with Jesus is waiting for us, the troubles and trials of today don’t have to defeat us. Why would we let something temporary tear us down when we have HOPE in the One who already won the greatest battle of all?

You keep hope alive, you keep hope alive

From beginning to end your word never fails

You keep hope alive, because you are alive

Jesus you are alive

No matter what this world and this life (or simply 2020) may throw at us. Jesus keeps hope alive because He is alive. As long as we continue to place our faith in the resurrection of Jesus, our hope can’t be killed by the trials we face.

There’s hope in the breaking

Hope in the sorry

Hope in this moment

My hope for tomorrow!

Are you in need of hope like this today? Have you ever found true hope by placing your faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus? If the answer is no, you don’t have to go one more second without hope! Confess your sin and need for a savior to Jesus! Choose to believe in His resurrection and surrender your life to Him!

Experience real hope right now!

Or perhaps you need to reaffirm the hope you have in Jesus. Pray and ask God to strengthen your faith and renew your hope. Walk confidently in that living hope we have because HE IS ALIVE!

Matt Carter

PS- If you can watch the video, pay close attention to the passion that the band is displaying. Their hope is on full display! I was especially struck by the drummer! She’s leading worship…she believes what she’s singing and playing!