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, NKJV.
Gracious God, how thankful we are to You for the grace that sustains us in times of affliction. Teach us how to remain close to Your side until all our sufferings are past. In the name of our Savior Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
As I pondered the words of our Scripture for today, it became perfectly clear, that while the Christian is called to an “eternal glory,” our suffering is only for “a while.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if we could always see life from this perspective? The hope that keeps us going in the face of trials and adversities, is not “a pie in the sky by and by,” as some seem to think. It is “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow” (Thomas O. Chisholm).
There is also a purpose for everything that happens in the life of one who has surrendered his or her life to the Lord. In our text for today, it speaks of God perfecting, establishing, strengthening, and settling us, through these sufferings. I agree with the apostle Paul that “no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12: 11). Emphasis provided. It is the after-effect of suffering, rightly borne, that makes manifest the intended purpose. God does not allow His children to suffer, just because He can, but because we need it. It is allowed for our training (edification).
Another angle of that argument is found in Romans 8: 18-21, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
As horrible and almost unbearable, as some sufferings may be, I am convinced, as God’s Word declares, that there will be nothing with which to compare the wonderful glories of eternity! Eternity will be an unveiling, or revealing of the final person – the end result of all the sufferings and trials! “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15: 53). The whole of God’s creation will escape “the bondage of corruption,” and enjoy the “glorious liberty” of those who have been perfected by the “God of all grace[!]”
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12: 9, 10). It is God’s grace that does the perfecting, establishing, strengthening, and settling. during our suffering. As the song writer puts it, ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home” (John Newton)! So do not give up dear friend – for “this too” – whatever it may be – “shall pass!”