As I enjoyed the morning I was reading 1 Peter 4 and 5 – about suffering and grace. Well, this week has certainly been a tough one….two steps backwards. Chapter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;” Well, I find that many times I do. I wonder why we’ve been dealt our situation for SO LONG. In fact, this morning I cried as I told the Lord that part of the reason for my tears is that I DO believe He could change our circumstances. It IS because of my faith in Him that I greive. Yet the scripture eludes that there is some mysterious value in suffering….but for the life of me, I am not able to grasp it.
Then verse 5 that tells me….”but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.” And I began to consider if Jesus really did know what grieves me. And I began to note a laundry list of His earthly friends that caused him grief, and, of course, he wept when Lazarus died of illness. So even when it feels unnatural, I am told to rejoice and also reassured that nothing’s wasted because His glory will be revealed. I’m holding on, Lord.
Verse 19 of chapter 4 it says, “therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” So it’s not “if” but “when”. Suffering is included in the God experience. And scripture reminds me that the One who created my child is faithful and furthermore, HE WILL DO WHAT IS RIGHT. When I’m hurting, this is opposite my natural inclination to be pessimistic about God’s attributes…that God’s not listening and probably not able to help either. So here’s where it gets honest and dicey for me. In the next chapter (5:6-7) it gets to the point…. Here is the verse: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.” So – I don’t know everything, I don’t understand everything, He is God, He’s given me a relationship with Him despite my limitations, and He’ll manage my situation for His purposes. So I’m to HUMBLE myself and suborninate my will to His and let God be God. Why isn’t this natural???????????
Now please allow me to skip verse 8 for the moment and skip to verse 9-10….”be firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” I get the feeling that collectively suffering is deeply connected to Jesus and has a collective purpose THAT IS UNKNOWN TO ME. It also rings true at it’s in the duration of our suffering that we experience God. And, of course, the end of the race sounds comforting, doesn’t it – Christ Himself will perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you – isn’t that what we really want as Christians?
I want to be part of something ultimately good and larger than myself.
It’s difficult now and many times I find myself dealing with the verse I skipped – chatper 5:8 which says….”be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your advesary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” And beginning of verse 5….”resist him”.
And on the days I give up, let my guard down and give the advesary my thoughts and heart, I am another Child of God rendered ineffective. Lord…give me Your strength and Your mercy today. As the prophet John said, “You must increase and I must decrease.”
