A psalm that expresses the humble heart of King David challenges believers today with the question, "Is the Lord always before me?" In a world full of distractions, anxiety and heartbreak, Christians are to cling to the gospel and to Christ as they walk the path of life in Him.

The call of Psalm 3 is not just to express trust. That's easy. It's easy to say that we trust. But it's a whole different animal to actually trust. And that's the message of Psalm 3. It's to trust that the Lord both can and will meet us in it all...that He can and will sustain us in it all.

Stepping through the gateway to the Psalms, we're presented with a picture of the reality of life in all its genuine simplicity, seeing how there are, in the end, Two Ways, Two Peoples, and Two Destinies. 

As we look forward to Christ coming again, Peter encourages Christians to stand firm in the faith and be sober-minded. Believers have an adversary and therefore we must be united as the Church, leaning on one another and Christ. The future hope of restoration, confirmation, strength, and establishment fuels us towards the love of God and one another.

We are reminded of the heart of God in 1 Peter 5:5-7, that we as His children cast our anxieties on Him because He cares for us. In humility and under the mighty hand of God we faithfully follow after Him, knowing that our Heavenly Father will never let us go.

As we sojourn in this life as Christians we aren't left to figure it out alone, but God gifts His church with elders, shepherds of the flock, who are visible reminders of God's faithfulness and guidance. Elders are called to a high calling and therefore Peter instructs the church the importance of knowing what they are to be, as well as encourages them to follow.

As beloved children of God we are promised blessings, not as a result of our good works, but in ways that point us back and draw us closer to our Creator. In every circumstance Christians have assurance of salvation and hope in Christ.

All Christians are called to be hospitable, to love earnestly and to pray; but Peter also reminds us of our spiritual gifts that make us unique. These gifts are to steward God's grace to one another, making the Church a beautiful picture of community and the gospel as we serve in these last days, awaiting the return of the King.

What does it look like when Christians endure suffering in the world? And how are we meant to respond? Peter gives us answers to those questions.

In one of the most mysterious passages of the New Testament, Peter is encouraging believers in their new creation identity and mission to focus on what we know in Christ. This fuels the Church to move forward by faith and hope where one day those are of the past and only heavenly glory in the presence of the Lord remains.