Encouragement in Suffering

Scripture:

1Pet. 5:¹⁰ And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. ¹¹ To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

Observation:

There was no promise that the believers would not suffer. If anything, there was a guarantee that life would be difficult for those who followed Christ. At the same time, there was always a promise of the presence of the power of Christ. There is a promise of the sufficiency of God’s grace for every occasion. Though God’s people would be unwanted by the world, they would be loved by God. 

The passage ends with God’s on-going and eternal promises for those who remain in Him. They will be restored, supported, strengthened, and established for all of time, and this is possible through the power of God. This is his shortened doxology, but one that brings peace and encouragement. 

Application:

Many years ago my grandmother gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who had some physical ailments. A Nazarene pastor’s wife, she had her babies in the parsonage. The baby had problems that no one knew about. She had a heart defect and so, when she was born, she was a “blue baby.” This lack of oxygen created brain damage to the baby, who also had Down syndrome. The doctors told them that the little girl that they named Shirley, would only survive for a few years. My grandparents refused to believe that news and lovingly cared for Shirley so that she outlived them. 

Having a handicapped child nearly 90 years ago was a real challenge. People didn’t understand the genetics and reasons for the developmental delays and so they assumed my grandparents were to blame. Criticisms were heaped upon my grandmother with people assuming she had sinned and this was her punishment. Life changed for my grandparents because of Shirley, even in regard to social engagement with family and friends. Most of us would look on and think that they suffered as a result. 

The circumstances of their lives never did change, but they pressed on and they persevered. They believed in the restorative power of the God in Christ. Both my grandfather and my grandmother faithfully served Jesus every day of their lives and would testify to the support, strength and establishment of the power of God. They lived into the encouragement to be found in their suffering. 

Whatever we are facing today, it may not go away, but God will go with us. With the eternal view in mind, we hold onto the promises of restoration, support, strength and establishment. I believe in the power of the presence of Christ — and this is eternal. Thanks be to God. 

Prayer:

Lord, it is your promises that bring us strength for each day. May my eyes always be fixed upon you.  Amen.