Our Living Hope

As believers, we have a "living hope" because we trust a living Christ
1 Peter 1:3 ―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

This hope enables us to keep our minds under control and "hope to the end" when Jesus shall return.
1 Peter 1:13 ―Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ

We must not be ashamed of our hope but be ready to explain and defend it
1 Peter 3:15 ―But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear

This confident hope gives us the encouragement and enablement we need for daily living. It does not put us in a rocking chair where we complacently await the return of Jesus Christ. Instead, it puts us in the marketplace and on the battlefield where we keep on going when the burdens are heavy and the battles are hard. Like an anchor, our hope in Christ stabilizes us in the storms of life.