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Daily eMail Devotional
Friday, April 9, 2010
I Peter 2:19-25 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.As I have been through Bible College and now serving here at Ohana Baptist Church now for just under a year, and even when I observe my own life it is interesting to observe those going through trials. A common comment I hear is, “The Lord will bring me through this” or “I must remain faithful through God’s testing.” I, in no way want to sound uncaring or insensitive but many of our trials are our own fault. It is kind of like the person who hits their thumb with a hammer and blames the hammer for hitting their thumb. If you think that illustration was a little kiddish then how about the person who does not properly budget their finances and believes it is a test of God when they are hurting financially or the couple who is not reading marriage books or listening to Pastor’s marriage lessons while wondering when God will bring deliverance. The truth is, but not all, many of our wounds are self-inflicted.
Our passage addresses this issue in verse 20 by saying, “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” What God is trying to teach us here is that there is no reward or gain by reaping the consequences of wrong choices but there is a reward for those who suffer for righteousness. During Peter’s time there were those who were Christians being persecuted for not joining in with others in idolatrous worship especially those who were slaves who refused to join in with their masters. Through their trials there are rewards. We read in I Peter 3:14, “But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.” There are differences in our trials. Which do yours come from?
Whatever the source of our trial may be Jesus is still the solution. To those who suffer for righteousness sake God says, “be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled” and to those that are self-inflicted, Psalm 34:6, “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” Whatever you may be going through and no matter the source or circumstance we can be rest assured Jesus is the answer.
Love you all!!!
Pastor Mike
Don't Forget -
