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I have heard it said, though I cannot say where,
that January is the worse month for insomnia. People generally just
struggle to sleep well in this month of openings. It is also typically
the middle of a period, generally from October to March, when some suffer
from Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD), a complaint that causes mild,
sometimes severe, depression. For most it simply brings on a lethargy
and a general sense of hopelessness. It is a serious business when you
can't get a good night's sleep or when you just can't see the light
at the end of the tunnel. I personally know that it is no laughing matter
and have been looking for things that would buck up the spirits somewhat.
SAD is often treated by using light therapy, understandable really since
it happens in the darkest season of the year, and in looking at Peter's
first letter I found the most amazing light shining clearly at the end
of my particular tunnel and thought to share it.
These twelve verses give rise to Peter's words at the beginning of the
body of his letter, "Praise be!" It is an exclamation that can be on
the lips of every true believer whatever the season and Peter explains
why. He first tells us ("God's elect" [v.1] - how wonderful is that?)
that God has "given us new birth into a living hope" [v.3]. When Jesus
spoke to Nicodemus he explained:
"I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is
born again!" (John 3:4)
Since God has given us new birth then it is we who will see the kingdom.
This gift, for it is a gift since God has given it to us, is obtained
"through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" [v.3]. There
is no earning entry into the kingdom, no merit in works. Paul wrote
to believers in Ephesus:
It is by grace you have been saved, through
faith - not by works, so that no one can boast (Ep.2:8-9)
What we inherit because of Christ and our faith in him "can never
perish, spoil or fade - [it is] kept in heaven for you…" [v.4]
What is really encouraging, however, is the realism that comes next
and the "nevertheless" we can infer from the text. We who have been
given new birth into a living hope, an inheritance that cannot perish,
spoil, or fade, and who are shielded by God's power are not untouched
by the trials of this life:
In this you greatly rejoice, though now
for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of
faith. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold,
which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and
may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed
[v.v.6-9]
Nevertheless - even your trials are to a purpose.
Nevertheless - the faith it 'proves' is more precious than gold.
Nevertheless - the result will be praise, glory and honour.
Jesus told his disciples:
"In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33)
Because of Christ and our faith in him we are "shielded by God's
power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed
in the last time" [v.5].
Furthermore, we are told that the prophets searched intently for this
time of salvation [v.v.10-11] and their careful ministry served us in
that they pointed to the day of salvation so that we would recognise
it and rejoice. Indeed, "Even angels long to look into these things"
that we can see so clearly with the eyes of faith [v.12].
So, the elect of God are given new birth by God, enjoy a living hope
and an imperishable inheritance through faith in Christ, are shielded
by God's power and live in times that prophets of old searched intently
to know and enjoy blessings into which angels long to look.
"In this you rejoice" declares Peter. "Praise be!" we might respond.
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