In bringing our exposition of First Peter to a close this past Lord’s Day, I reflected on how Peter’s mind was so saturated and informed by Old Testament truth in all he wrote. There are countless direct and indirect OT references throughout the letter. He clearly understands Jesus Christ and His salvation as the fulfillment of God’s OT revelation. Among other things, Peter sets a powerful and enticing example for valuing and growing in our knowledge of all 66 books of God’s Word. It is all part of the “…pure spiritual milk…” that we should be craving ( 1 Pet. 2:1-3)! God nourishes our faith and delight in Jesus Christ through His Word! It is in and through all of God’s Word that we come to know more fully the unsearchable riches of His grace in Christ, and are enabled to stand all the more firmly in this grace (1 Pet. 5:12). Amazing!
Here’s just one sweet OT nugget for the strengthening of your soul. This expresses the central theme of First Peter (standing firm in God’s grace, amid present sufferings and in hope of future glory):
Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again. (Psalm 71:19-21)
Beloved, the “God of all grace” (1 Pet. 5:10) is always sufficient for all that He so lovingly ordains in all of our individual and corporate circumstances! Always! In faith, may you know and rejoice in the fullness of His grace in Jesus Christ, even as you long for the day when that faith will become sight.
Because He lives and loves,
Greg