Peter opens his first epistle by informing us that new birth provides every believer with a living hope through the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. What does this living hope bring us into? Romans 8:17 reminds us that we are “heirs of God” and this truth is found throughout the New Testament (Eph. 3:6; Tit. 3:7).

What does this inheritance which we have been brought into include? First, it includes Christ’s return for us (Jn. 14:1–3; 1 Th. 4:13–18). It includes the promise of resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20–23; Phil. 3:10–11). The promises of eternal life (Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 2:17), of a heavenly reward (2 Cor. 5:10), of eternal rest (Heb. 4:1–11), and of a new heaven and a new earth (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1–2). These are just a few of the promises that we have in Christ. But we might ask how do these promises for what is ahead relate to our life now?

Because you and I have been brought into a living hope, we can trust our loving Father in every situation we face in life. We know we are His for eternity (Eph. 1:13–14). Since we belong to Him, He will continue to protect us, provide for us and cause us to grow in our faith, conforming us into the image of His beloved Son.

We may pass through deep waters in this life, but we ought to never forget that we have been born to a living hope in Christ, and these deep waters are allowed in order to conform us into His image (Rom. 8:28–29). This living hope is not only for a day to come; it is for what you might be going through this very moment! Hope in God!