The reason for our hope

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; - 1 Peter 3v15

The context is joy and blessedness in suffering. As hard as that is to grasp, we now see the reason for it.

In the midst of what we consider heard times we are to place God in the centre of our hearts and minds. He must replace the fear and despair in our focus. When persecution and suffering for doing right comes it gives us a perfect opportunity. If we can stay at peace and the suffering as blessing it gives us the chance to give a reason for our joy. It allows us to tell others why we have hope.

As strange as it sounds, we should relish the bad times. It is then when we stand out from the crowd. It is then when we have the opportunity to show that all we have said has merit - that we REALLY believe what we have been saying! Then we get to tell others why we have such hope!

Let’s make sure that when bad times loom we are ready to give the answer for how we can rejoice.