Surprise!
Scripture: 1 Peter
4:12-14 (ESV)
12 Beloved
do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as
though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s
sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted
for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God
rests upon you.
Devotion:
Today we look at a scripture that provides
us with an answer to the question that was asked in yesterday’s devotion. The
question asked what is happening in our world today? The answer given is simply
that these sorts of trials and tribulations are to be expected because we no longer
follow the ways of the world. We indeed, are to rejoice that we are counted
worthy to suffer abuse for the sake of being a Jesus follower. We are not to
mourn or lament if we are treated badly by the world. This is a difficult word
to hear and even harder to perform, but it is the way of Christ.
Who among us can say truthfully that
we rejoice when someone treats us poorly? It is human nature to strike back.
But in the Sermon on the mount, we are told explicitly that we are to endure
such treatment for the sake of Jesus. Jesus who endured such abuse and hatred
from his own people that they handed him over to the Roman authorities to be
crucified. The petty insults from the world are nothing in comparison to the
suffering Jesus endured on the cross to secure our salvation.
When seen in the context of Jesus’
passion and death for our ultimate salvation, the world can really do nothing
to us. We can say with Paul “for me to live is Christ, to die is gain”. In
order to succeed in living like Paul states here we must be walking closely
with Jesus on a minute-by-minute basis. We must ask the Lord to fill us with
His Holy Spirit and cover us with the full armor of God to do battle with forces
of the flesh, the world, and the devil that seek to derail our obedience to the
Lord.
Rejoicing and celebration in
tribulation are difficult to do with the Lord’s help and impossible to achieve
without it. Let us make sure that we are not suffering because we are not following
the way of Jesus our Master and Lord. Let us pray that we may be faithful to
the Lord.
Prayer:
Lord, we come to you today to ask
for your guidance and help to live godly and obedient lives in a world that is
becoming increasingly hostile to your word. Help us to live upright and holy
lives in a twisted and rotting world. Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit so
that we may live in such a way that your name is glorified, if not on earth,
then in heaven. Thank you, dear Jesus, for saving us from our sins. Help us to
live lives that honor your sacrifice on the cross. Amen.
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