The God of Grace Establishing Us
By Pastor Mitch
January 10, 2020
BEING SHAKEN BECAUSE OF SUFFERING
Going through suffering can be an unnerving thing. It can cause us to fear and to be emotionally rattled. This was something that the people that Peter wrote to were experiencing in the Dispersion.
After you have suffered a while…” 1 Peter 5:10
The word “suffered” in Greek has the idea of going through both physical and emotional suffering. They were ill-treated. Threats and accusations were hurled at them. Some were physically abused. And others were even killed. All these sufferings must have caused these Christians to be deeply affected and shaken. They needed the Lord of all grace to help them to be strong.
THE ESTABLISHING WORK OF GOD
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while perfect, establish…” 1 Peter 5:10
The word “establish” is the Greek word “sterizo.” It has the idea of fixing firmly. The Lord not only would have to do this work of mending lives, He also has to fix them to help them stand strong. Because they were wavering in spirit, the Lord is the one who must steady them. Emotional weaknesses need to be fixed and strengthened. How can this be done?
1. Praying that the Lord of all grace would establish us.
2. Seeking to learn well the lessons of faith and life that Peter had taught
3. Learning to exercise greater faith and hope in eternal glory in the face of suffering.
REFLECTIONS
As I reflect on this truth, I am thankful for this wonderful work of the Lord establishing our life. When I was a younger person, my heart was easily shaken by the problems and difficulties of life. Through the years, as I prayed and humbled myself before the Lord, He has enabled me to be stronger. His word has become the foundation for my faith and life. I have learnt to focus on things above. His grace has fixed areas in my life that were weak. There is, of course, some more work to be done. But I am trusting the Lord and relying on His grace to work in me further. My prayer is that the Lord too will work in areas of your life that are weak and He would make them strong. May the Lord and His grace steady and establish your life so that we are useable for His work.
