1 Peter 5:9-11

Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 

The fourth week in June has been so devastating to my spiritual journey. I keep on asking God about the suffering happening around the globe on several fronts. Politically, nations are under turmoil, unrests, wars, and confusion. These have spilled over and now polarizing the body of Christ. Families have had their share of burying the dead the infliction of the rare pandemic throughout the world.

The world has been buffeted by COVID-19 resulting in the temporary closure of church doors. The good news is that our hearts have been enriched through social media platforms. The devotion today encourages us to keep standing despite the mounting challenges of our time.

Peter encouraged the Christians of his day to resist the devil who roared like a lion, yet powerless. We are also persuaded to stand firm in the faith in difficult times. While some of the challenges of our day are inevitable, believers around the globe are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. God sees our sufferings and is able to grace our lives.

Peter brings good news to the body of Christ. ^"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." Indeed, after we have suffered from all sicknesses, the COVID-19 pandemic, the closure of our churches, schools and cities, God will restore our houses of worship, families, nations, and the world.

God is always in the business of making things right. The enemy comes in like a flood and the Lord will always lift up a standard. The word encourages us that suffering is ending because God is in control. God will make the church and nations strong again. He will establish His kingdom mightily among His people.

Suffering has an expiration date because our God is able to do far exceedingly and abundantly beyond our human imagination according to his power that works in us. He encouraged, “after you have suffered a little while God will act powerfully.”
 

Prayer for Reflection

Genesis 21:8-21
Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
Romans 6:1b-11
Matthew 10:24-39