1 Peter 5:10
Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. HCSB
I am overwhelmed by this verse over and over again. Will you look at it and then it's context with me?
Think of it in parts with me. Now - is in the moment, every moment!!! The God - Our One True God - who is the God of ALL GRACE promises to do this for us. I love that little word ALL!!! All is all; complete, whole with no ifs, ands or buts. I don't know about you but I tend to be the one who is always trying to add in the but what about this and what about that to God. I am often reminded that God's grace is based on Jesus and the fact that I am in Christ Jesus. It is never based on my worth, my ability to earn it etc and thank the Lord for that!!! Because of Jesus I receive ALL the grace God has to offer - with no exceptions!! Please God, help me to walk in the truth of this and convey that same grace to others with Your strength.
Did you see the next part of the verse? Remember the first part - THE GOD OF ALL GRACE - now for the next part - WILL PERSONALLY RESTORE, ESTABLISH, STRENGTHEN AND SUPPORT YOU!! Those of us in Christ (we have accepted and trusted that Jesus died for OUR VERY OWN sin and was raised from the dead to give us new life) have the very God of the the universe, as our very own Father who will Himself restore us, establish us, strengthen us and support us!! Wow!!!! Thank You, Father God!!!
He is personally and intimately involved in your life as well as mine by the power of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirt - the Father will send Him in My Name - will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you."
Don't forget the last part of the verse (which in some other translations is at the beginning) - after you have suffered a little. Suffering is a part of the Christian life and life in general. It is to be expected - but we do not suffer without hope!! Romans 12:12, "Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer." He promises to do all of this for us, but there is a caution that suffering is going to be involved in the process - it is inevitable. For all of us. But so is GRACE!! and so much more!!!
Look back at 1 Peter 5:6-9, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you. Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world."
Do you see our responsibility? God promises to personally restore, establish, strengthen and support us; however He requires that we humble ourselves before Him, trusting Him to do what He says He will. We must give Him our cares over and over again - every single time they rise up in our mind as cares again. We must be observant and pay attention because it is a fact that the Devil is our enemy and He wants to "steal, kill and destroy" (John 10:10) us, our family's, and our lives. Anything he can do to render us ineffective for the kingdom of God is his plan. He doesn't care if we love the things of this life or do what the world says is acceptable (that is what he wants) - he only cares and fights us when we are seeking to bring God glory and to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Don't let that bring fear, but let it bring an awareness.
If you do not find yourself battling in this life - may I suggest a moment of reflection on what is important to you and what is your priority? This is a check that I use in analyzing myself to see if I am where God wants me. I am not saying storms and suffering will happen all the time, but if you find yourself rarely in the fight check your priorities and make sure that this earth is not your home. Hebrews 13:14, "For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come." Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Remember the rest of John 10:10, Jesus says that He has come that we may have life and have it in abundance. Are we walking in victory with Christ - in the spirit? Am I experiencing His restoration, strength and support in the midst of the suffering in this life? He says I can and I will!!!
Father God, thank You for the many truths of Your Word. Thank You for Your Grace, for the fact that You promise to personally restore, establish, strengthen and support us even as we experience suffering for a time. Thank You that You give us the ability to rejoice in You and hold on to Your Truth despite how we may feel. God, forgive me for often giving in to my feelings rather than taking my thoughts captive and walking in the truth of what I know. Thank You, Jesus for making all of this possible because You personally came to redeem and rescue us! You paid the sin debt that we could not. Please God, help us to walk in Your ways for Your glory. Use us as You will, in Jesus' Name.
