Still Climbing the Hill

Before turning to 1 Peter 2:9-10,  Min. Leslie reflects on recent events and the nation's history.  She reminds us that Peter's letter was written to persecuted Christians across Asia Minor to offer hope and reassurance in the midst of severe suffering. He reminds his readers that the real enemy is not political or cultural, but the dark, evil spiritual forces working among people to inspire hatred and to incite acts of violence. Like Israel wandering in the wilderness, we can rely on God to demonstrate his faithfulness as we endure our own experiences of desolation and disorientation. We can emerge from our desert as a new kingdom of priests ready to serve God as his representatives to all nations. We can become a people with a new confidence in God.  And when the time comes, we will leave the desert knowing God is mighty to save.