Church services often end with a benediction. A common one is taken from
Peter’s concluding remarks in his first epistle: “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” (1 Peter 5:10).
Sometimes omitted in the benediction is the phrase “after you have suffered a
while.” Why? Perhaps because it is not pleasant to speak of suffering.
It should not surprise us, however, when suffering comes our way. The
apostle Paul, who knew well what it was to suffer, wrote: “All who desire to
live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).
If we live a life of submission to God (1 Peter 5:6) and resisting the
devil (v.9), we can expect to be maligned, misunderstood, and even taken
advantage of. But the apostle Peter says that there is a purpose for such
suffering. It is to “restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast”
(v.10 niv).
God’s path for our Christian growth often leads us through difficulties,
but they fortify us to withstand life’s future storms. May God help us to be
faithful as we seek to boldly live a life that honors Him.
When God would make us strong He schools us through hardships. (RBC)
