1 PETER 5:10 – And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
THEME OF THE DAY: GOD’S TIMETABLE AND THE SHORT VIEW OF LIFE. Today’s scripture begins the conclusion of the Apostle Peter’s first letter. The overall theme of the letter is that of “joyful suffering” that we are called to experience in this life. Within the verse of the day is much encouragement of all God promises to do for His suffering children – restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish them. But two things must be understood and embraced by us.
First, the period of our suffering that establishes our need for restoration, confirmation, strengthening and establishing is on God’s calendar and timetable, not ours. We will have to wait. We will not get any of those works in us until the greater work of God is done in us like developing submission, patience, and trust in His promises when we don’t feel His promises. So, let’s not be like David and grow impatient with God’s timetable – How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? (Psalm 13:1-2). Father knows best, so let’s wait upon Him to come to our rescue when He knows it is the best time to do so.
Another truth from today’s scripture and our suffering is that no matter how long, even if it is at the end of our lives, it is for a little while. I know. I know. It often doesn’t seem or feel like it, but it we take the right view, the short view of life, it is a short while. The Apostle Paul would give us sound counsel on how to see this and that by looking at all of life to include our suffering through the lens of eternity – So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). A great place to start in getting this perspective is prayer; like the prayer in Psalm 39 – O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! (Psalm 39:4-6).
There is something else apart from today’s scripture to empower us to suffer well. It is the anticipation of seeing Jesus. So, exhausted soldier of Christ and weary child of God, keep fighting the good fight, running the grueling race, and enduring every season of suffering. The road we travel on the painful journey to heaven is lined with much sorrow, pain, and tears, yet every difficult experience will be worth it when we see Jesus and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).
PRAYER: “Father, thank You that deliverance from trials and suffering is assured by You either in this life or the next.”
QUOTE: “Keep fighting the good fight of faith. Every tear shed and call to suffer will be worth it when we see Jesus.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim