" After You Have Suffered Awhile . . . "

 

1st.Peter 5:10-11  "But the GOD of all grace, WHO hath called us unto HIS eternal glory by CHRIST JESUS, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To HIM be glory and dominion forever and ever. AMEN."

     In these days of immense instability, it is wonderful to be reminded that the GOD of all grace WHO has called us unto HIS future, eternal glory (v.10) has also provided all that we need in the present in order to calm our soul and settle our heart amid the raging storms of life. The LORD does not want HIS children to be blown about by "every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14 pictured above), and we will not be spiritually unstable if we walk in HIM (Colossians 2:6-7). HE does not want us to be filled with fear either, and we will not be afraid if we are filled with HIS love (1st.John 4:18) and truly surrendered to HIS perfect will (Romans 12:1-2). Believers are stablished as they study GOD's WORD, comparing Scripture with Scripture and rejoicing in the sure foundation that is ours through JESUS CHRIST, the Living WORD (1st.Corinthians3:11), and the Bible, the written WORD (Ephesians 2:20;2nd.Peter 1:19). We are strengthened in the "inner man" through the ministry of the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT (Ephesians 3:16 pictured below), and we are settled (at rest within) as we exercise faith in the "great and precious promises" GOD has given us in HIS WORD (2nd.Peter 1:3-4).

     However, we also must recognize another way in which GOD brings us to maturity in the Christian walk: Suffering adversity causes us to rest in GOD's sustaining grace. Stablished, strengthened, settled believers are a great asset to any family, any church, or any country, but they are in short supply today because too many are feeding on wind (Hosea 12:1 pictured below) rather then enjoying the rich spiritual feast GOD has provided for all of HIS children through the holy, eternal, infallible, inspired, and totally sufficient WORD. Do not miss the LORD's best by eating the wrong food at the wrong table.

     We briefly mentioned above that GOD uses suffering and adversity in order to bring the believer to the place of spiritual maturity. Our heavenly FATHER often allows us to endure difficulties to refine our faith and build us up. Many within Christendom erroneously teach that all suffering is either the result of satanic oppression or sin in the Christian's life. Although it is true that Satan does cause much misery and that the LORD does sometimes use painful situations in order to correct the wayward believer, a study of the Bible is essential if one is to avoid the confusion and doubt propagated today particularly through the fallacies of the charismatic movement.

     GOD has various reasons for permitting suffering or adversity. The Apostle Paul learned an important lesson when the LORD did not remove his "thorn in the flesh," and this led him thereafter to thank GOD for that trial (2nd.Corinthians 12:7-10 pictured above). Today's text, while not dealing with the subject of suffering as a major theme, does refer to the sufferings of CHRIST (1st.Peter 5:1) as well as the believer's suffering during the period of time between the new birth and the future glory (vv.10-11). The Scriptures clearly teach that the saint's suffering for CHRIST precedes reigning with HIM (2nd.Timothy 2:12 pictured below). When we are hard-pressed to find a reason for our afflictions, we must look to the WORD of GOD. We will then discover that our situation is not unique -- the LORD has been training HIS own in this way since the beginning (1st.Peter 4:12-19). As we walk by faith and keep GOD's ways and our own future glory in mind, present distress will become bearable, and it will mature us into the kind of people GOD would have us to be (2nd.Corinthians 4:16-18). MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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