1 Peter 1:13
1 Peter 1:13
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
In this life, where will we place our hope? That is the message Peter aims to convey in verse 13. The reality, however, is that even those of us who believe find it difficult to remain hopeful until that day arrives. It is essential that we take control of where our thoughts go and what our minds are occupied with. Without intentional hope-setting, we will be easily distracted by the false promises of satisfaction the world keeps presenting. Historically, soldiers would tie their flowing robes into their belts in order to maintain freedom of movement and avoid any dangerous falls. Similarly, we are also to gird up our loins and to be sober in our thinking in order to secure the ultimate confidence in God's Word and to ensure that our confidence rests on the grace revealed in Jesus Christ. By focusing our minds continuously toward that grace, we will be assured of our confidence. The key to avoiding the difficulties and trials of everyday life is to fix our eyes on Jesus and the truth of God's Word and nothing else. The moment we have girded our loins and fixed our eyes on the truth of Scripture, we will have placed our trust in Christ's finished work, and our confidence will remain strong.
1 Corinthians 15:19
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Psalm 130:5
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.