Our perspective affects our experience and the way we respond to situations in life. Difficult situations can be seen as an opportunity to learn and grow, or an opportunity to complain and grumble.
Peter wrote his first epistle to encourage and exhort first-century persecuted believers to remain steadfast in the faith, in the face of opposition. He started His letter by telling them of the great salvation that God has provided for them in Christ: a salvation that included God electing them, a Savior who suffered, died, and rose for their justification; a Holy Spirit who gave them a new birth; and a living hope for an inheritance that doesn’t fade away. This salvation made them part of a chosen community of God’s people, a royal priesthood, His own peculiar people.
Now, Peter is coming to the end of his letter and he ends where he started, that is, he draws their attention back to the God who called them.
There are four things that He wants them and us to keep in mind about the God who called us so that we don’t lose perspective as a result of the trials we face:
- The God who called us is the God of all grace (v.10a). He will give us every grace necessary to persevere in the way.
- He has called us to His eternal glory (v.10b). His call is effectual and eternal.
- He Himself will enable us to endure to the end (v.10cd). He will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us.
- He is sovereign and worthy of all our praise (v.11). He has all the power to complete the work He has begun in us.
Keeping these four points in mind will enable us to rejoice daily in our salvation and to look forward to the privilege of being in the presence of God, beholding His face forever. “To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen!”