³. . . [God] has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ⁴to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

God purposed for us to be born again to a living hope. Biblical hope is not wishful thinking; it is far more than that. Someone has described it as expectancy with desire. We expect that we will be raised again from the dead and receive an eternal inheritance, and we desire it greatly. The hope we have as believers is a foregone conclusion; we live and act in light of it being absolutely true. It is a “living” hope, in that it animates our motives for life now. It is not just a dusty theological truth reserved for death-bed comfort or funeral sermons; it’s what keeps us going through the struggles of life.

The psalmist David captures the confidence believers have in the certainty of God’s eternity (without using the actual word):

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Ps. 23:4–6)

We find this hope crystalized in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is so central to our faith that the apostle Paul wrote, “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Cor. 15:19). Because He rose from the dead, so we will also. This life is not all there is!

While the prospect of eternity can only be described ephemerally (see 2 Cor. 12:3–4), it nonetheless has substance. We have an inheritance portrayed comprehensively as: Imperishable – Undefiled – Unfading – Reserved – Protected – To be revealed.

Let that sink in. Our hope (expected and desired) is permanent, secured, pure, and lasting. What comfort and encouragement and motivation that gives us, especially when we go through trials and difficulties. Some today see the value of faith as it applies to everyday life, not wanting to focus too much on eternity future. But biblical hope for today is grounded in that which we cannot yet see (Heb. 11:1). There is nothing more practical than hope that gives our faith a ground focus for today.

Lord, thank You for the promise of my inheritance that is soon to be revealed.