“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10).
We all have experienced some kind of suffering, whether it be physical or spiritual .By the grace of God, we persevere because we have the hope of “eternal glory by Christ Jesus.” My late husband was always using this phrase, “better days are coming.” It is the hope I cling to during the rough days of dealing with chronic pain. Until His return, I also cling to today’s verse; that helps me cope by His grace.
A wonderful book entitled “The Letters of James and Peter” by William Barclay offers some great insights on Peter’s writings. I will share some statements I found helpful in understanding today’s and future days’ devotionals. Let us look at the words “restore,” “establish,” “strengthen” and “settle.”
Restore— “It means to supply that which is missing, to mend what is broken. So suffering, if accepted in humility and trust and love, can repair the weaknesses of a man’s character and add the greatness which so far is not there.” Peter understood the meaning of restoration.
Establish— “The Greek word is sterixein which means to make as solid as granite. Suffering of body and sorrow of heart do one of two things to a man. They either make him collapse or they leave him with a solidity of character which he could never have gained anywhere else.”
Strengthen— “ The Greek word is sthenoun which means to fill with strength.” No one really knows what his faith means to him until it has been tried in the furnace of affliction. There is something doubly precious about a faith which has come victoriously through pain and sorrow and disappointment.”
Settle— “The Greek word is themelioun which means to lay the foundations. When we have to meet sorrow and suffering we are driven down to the very bedrock of faith. It is then that we discover what are the things which cannot be shaken.”
In closing out this week of study, consider these questions: Are you ready to show grace to yourself? If so, are you ready to show grace to others?
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Lorene Miley and Lynette Morgan as they prepare to speak at the WNAC Luncheon in Tampa, July 23.
