A number of years ago, my family and I would make an annual trip between California and Nebraska to see our families for Christmas. I remember one trek that took us through a dark fog in Utah. We would descend from the mountain peaks into the dark haze and then ascend back to the mountaintops and into the radiant sun.

It was strange to drive above the low clouds in the sunshine knowing we were about to descend again into the darkness. But we needed those respites in the sun. The mountain view of the valleys gave us a sense of our progress and direction.

When I read 1 Peter, the apostle seems to be providing a similar mountain peak, Son-filled perspective to give us direction and purpose as we enter the valleys of suffering and trial that lay on the homeward journey to our heavenly estate. 

Throughout his letter, Peter reminds his readers of the glory of Christ's person and work to encourage the believer in his or her suffering. Around every turn, the apostle and ambassador of Jesus introduces us to a new viewing area from which to behold Christ. 

Before he leads us down the steep grades and into the treacherous depths of the valleys of suffering, Peter takes us up again and again to the scenic, viewing areas. Peter knows the importance of seeing breathtaking scenes of the glory of Christ.

In 1 Peter 1:3, Peter introduces us to the resurrection of Christ as the security for our imperishable inheritance before descending into the valleys of trial explained in verses 6-7. The revelation of Christ’s resurrection work propels us through the trials to consider the future revelation of Jesus Christ in glory (v. 7, 13). 

Lest we are too weighted by the high calling upon our behavior in the midst of these trials and sufferings as holy and obedient children, Peter drives us once again to the cross. He writes, “knowing that you were ransomed … with the precious blood of Christ … He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory so that your faith and hope are in God” (18-21).

As you need to have fill-up stations highlighted on your map to guard you from running out of gas, similarly Peter reminds us that the goals and purposes of our flesh, the perishable things of the world, do not provide the necessary power and strength to conquer the trials and sufferings we will face.

He highlights that the cross-work of Christ is imperishable; divinely powerful to strengthen us in every weakness. The ransom work of Christ was not wrought with perishable things (18), but with the precious blood of Christ (19).

Between the valleys of suffering articulated between chapter 2 and chapter 4, Peter takes us back up to the heights of Christ’s saving work by which we have been brought to God “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him” (3:21-22). Treasure the glory of this gospel truth!

Peter is writing to believers who are about to descend into the valleys of persecution to stand before their neighbors, employers, governors and emperor for the name of Christ. What earthly savior could sustain them to endure the duress of suffering; deliver them in the arena surrounded by wild animals; and rescue them from the trial by stake and fire?

Only one Savior is foreknown before the foundation of the world and therefore is an eternal foundation! Only one Savior has conquered death and been raised into heaven! Only one Savior has sat down at the right hand of God, the highest place of honor and glory! Only one Savior has been placed above all authority and power! Jesus Christ!

It is this gospel truth that empowers believers to resist sin (4:3) and to lovingly serve from the grace and power that God supplies through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen! (4:10-11).