Blessings After the Suffering

Scripture: 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, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10-11

Observation: In his formal benediction, Peter reminds his audience that satan is on the move in the world, attacking believers and causing suffering. However, after that suffering, the Lord will be with us all. The Lord does not prevent the suffering per se, but rather he steps in and gives us strength and comfort. The four words he uses in this translation are perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle.

-- Perfect: The Lord acknowledges our increased holiness by our faith.
-- Establish: The Lord provides us a new, firm place and purpose by the outcome in our life.
-- Strengthen: The Lord gives to us new skills, authority, and/or knowledge by what we endured.
-- Settle: The Lord comforts are hearts and minds by his love.

In other words, after the hardships and suffering inflicted on the faithful by Satan and his workings in this world, we are promised ... a changed life, improved understanding, renewed faith, and tangible love.

Application: I feel especially confident that what I just wrote as my understanding of this verse is good because I personally feel all of these things in my life today. I have thought many times that I am not delighted with where my life has gone in the past 18 months. However, I know two things. First, that satan worked hard to defeat me during the dark times. And second, that today I have been provided with a new direction in life, a better understanding of certain types of hardships that I can share with others, even more direct understanding of God's work in my life, and a feeling that God actually does care about me.

I did not get saved from the hardship. I got something better ... the promised outcomes.

Prayer: Abba, my Lord and my father, I thank you for seeing me in my hardships. Like many people, I still struggle with fears of this world, despite how often you tell us not to. However, I do now know how you can and will see me through all situations. May I be better in my thoughts and deeds every day, responding to your love. Amen.