September 27, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nobody likes to suffer, yet the witness of the Scriptures is uniform in declaring that suffering is one of God\u2019s greatest tools of transformation in the lives of His people. In his letters to the scattered church throughout Asia Minor, Peter addresses this issue and provides encouragement for believers who were under attack through persecution, oppression, and even direct attack by the enemy through false teachers. In the midst of their suffering, Peter reminds them to keep their eyes fixed on their eternal reward: Christ Jesus Himself! As we spend time over the next eight days reading the epistles of Peter, let\u2019s make it out goal to fix our eyes on Jesus and to maintain joy in Him even through the most difficult trials and suffering!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the closing chapter of his first epistle Peter gives instructions for the elders of the churches as well as those under their care. He tells them all to be clothe themselves with humility towards one another and to cast their cares upon God because He cares for them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter then warns his readers to be vigilant in guarding themselves against the attacks of the devil. He reminds them that they have a great spiritual enemy who is looking to destroy and devour them. Satan sometimes causes our suffering as believers, and other times he will try to use it to destroy us or to crush our faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter calls his readers to stand firm and know that they are not alone in their suffering! The experience they are going through is one that is universal to the church all over the world; we all suffer in some way for the sake of Christ, and so we are never alone in this spiritual struggle! In the end, after we have suffered temporarily, God will be faithful to restore us and bring us into a place where suffering is abolished forever!<\/p>\n\n\n\n