What A View!

There are a few places Judy and I go to that inspire, comfort, encourage, and heal our souls when life is hard. This is one of our favorites: Cannon Beach, Oregon.

We’ve walked that beach during some of life’s darkest days. Hand in hand we’ve cried, rejoiced, begged God for relief as we processed my diagnosis with this chronic disease, some of our children’s worst challenges and hurts, our son’s two tours in the war zone, and the many, many tests and trials of ministry.

The breathtaking landscape of that beautiful place helps in ways that I can’t really explain.

In the same way, the Apostle Peter begins his first letter with a breathtaking landscape to inspire, encourage, comfort, and heal the hearts of his readers.

First Peter is a hard book full of hard words written to Christians going through hard times.

His first paragraph takes believers to a place with a breathtaking view—a scenic theological landscape. It’s a place of hope, the first hope that came to our heart when we received God’s love by believing in Jesus—a hope of deliverance, hope for the future, hope of heaven and all we will share with God in eternity.

The hope of our so great salvation.

I don’t know what’s hard about your life today. But I do know that if you let Jesus take you by the hand and lead you to the spectacular view of what He did for you, it will comfort your heart.

Open your Bible to 1 Peter 1:3-12, and imagine Jesus saying, “There it is. Take it all in. It’s all for you. I did this just for you. On your worst day, this is still true of you. I love you. I may not fix what hurts in your life right now, but even if I don’t, all of this is yours. My Father is preserving it in heaven for you right now.”

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).