Always Be Ready

Psalm 77, Job 5:8-27, 1 Peter 3:8-18

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

- 1 Peter 3:15

When I was a young child, I feared many things. One big one: What if my mom died? How could I survive? I loved her so much. Then I grew up and married, and the thought of losing my husband was overwhelming. When children came, my fears continued. Finally, I had to leave my worries with God. I realized that often I worried about things that never happened. The trouble that did come was unexpected, but God was always near, holding me up.

Fast forward to my life today… How did I survive when the worst happened? My dear mom died a slow death of Alzheimer’s over a period of 18 years. During that ordeal as long as she had words, she knew her Lord and Savior. She could pray and read scripture with understanding. I remember so well being nervous to take her to my Coffee Break Bible study group when she was visiting for fear of what she would say. But she was such a blessing, giving the ladies a reason for her hope. They were all encouraged.

When my husband, Tom, died I was a mess and wondered if my faith was strong enough. It wasn’t, but God was. Like the psalmist in Psalm 77, I was feeling forsaken by God, in grief. Is everything I believe true? I remembered memorizing the verses in John 6:68-69 where Peter says, “Who else can we go to, (Jesus)? You are the one who has the words of eternal life.” Daily I had to go to God and remember who He is and what He has done, His great deeds recorded throughout scripture. Job’s friend was trying to help Job in the Job 5 passage in the same way. Job’s friends did not always seem to give a lot of grace for all Job had suffered. However, in this chapter Eliphaz reminds Job of the wonders of God and who He is and what He has done.

Finally, Peter states in 1 Peter 3 to be ready to give an answer for the hope you have. Peter speaks of suffering in verse 14: “even if you suffer for doing good you are blessed.” He says this because whatever we are called upon to suffer in this life is an honor – reflecting Christ who was sinless but died for sinners. The righteous for the unrighteous.

My prayer for all of us who suffer, and we all do in one form or another, is that we can be ready to give the answer that gives us hope.