Gird Up, Sober Up, Look Up

“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….” I Peter 1: 13

Few generations have faced the world offering them little hope. Every breeze from the Orient brings with it the smell of Chinese explosives as a threat to war, environmental pollution, wock’s threat that divides, drugs, crime, corruption, and COVID threatening death pull tomorrow’s clouds over today’s sunshine. Little wonder live as though there is no tomorrow. “Seize the moment” is the mantra of the rising generation that lives as though there is no tomorrow.

The older generations are faced with a culture that affords them no fewer woes.

Followers of Jesus in every generation can attest to the truth of Jesus who promised that in this world there would be tribulation. The Bible Book of I Peter deserves a reread. It was initially written to people to whom hope did not come easy. It might be called a Book of Hope. For us as for the initial audience, hope gives the Christian encouragement in the midst of the trials and tribulations of this life because it focuses our affection on the blessings of the source of all hope, Jesus.

The verse focused in the above text offers three pillars of hope.       

First, “…gird up the loins of your mind….” All three expressions are symbolic expressions. When a warrior in the biblical era was about to go into battle he would tuck his robe into his belt enabling him to act more adeptly. This expression used here means to get mentally prepared. Many people falter and fail to deal adroitly with issues.  They have no mental reservoir from which to draw waters of wisdom. They simply don’t know what to do and they fall apart. They have failed to do as instructed to “Study to show yourself approved unto God….” If that is indicative of you, change it today and set up a plan of Bible study. Enroll in spiritual boot camp and start training. You will have tribulation, count on it. Get to know God better and learn His standards.

Second, “…be sober….” This isn’t related to drunkenness or other drugs only. When not sober the mind is under an external influence, alcohol. Is your mind clouded by any external influence? Are you inclined to give allegiance to any philosophy contrary to the Scripture? If so, sober up, that is come out from beneath any alien influence.

Third, “rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ….” If you have come to understand who Jesus is you know He offers hope. For it to be yours you must not only know it, but believe it. Believing in His grace, His unmerited favor, gives hope. Live on the basis of faith/rest. Then you can say if not sing, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness….” Gird up, sober up, and look up in hope even in our hopeless society.