1 PETER 2 SUFFERING FOR GOOD IS A GRACIOUS THING

September 16

1 PETER 2

17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:17-25

1 PETER 2 SUFFERING FOR GOOD IS A GRACIOUS THING

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you suffer because you have done wrong, that is your sin’s aftermath

You should not wonder why you experience it since all sin deserves God’s wrath

You need not expect to be rewarded for the sin you have committed

The suffering that follows Christ’s passion is doing good and being wronged for it

This kind of hardship and persecution edifies God and is gracious in his eyes

Continue to endure those prejudices for the sake of the gospel and your eternal life

Suffering for righteousness will draw you closer to fulfillment of God’s promise

It will grow your strength, endurance, character and will keep your faith mature.

Many people hate to suffer, but most of the suffering in the world is not always the kind that Jesus sampled for all of us. He suffered and sacrificed his life for the sake of our reconciliation with God. When Adam and Eve sinned, we inherited that natural inclination to it which made us turn our backs from what God has prepared for us. It shifted the design that God made for humankind. As a result of that original sin, death happened and this world became the venue of the enemy to derail us from the righteous plan of God for all of humanity.

In this account, Peter explains to the believers the kind of suffering that is required for Christians. It is not the same suffering that we experience when we do what is opposed to God’s commands. Because our life here on earth entails that we go through the difficulties that are made by the enemy so that we cannot reconcile with God. This whole life is an obstacle course for all of us so that we won’t turn towards God and be reconciled with him through Jesus. In John 10:10, we know that the devil’s job is to steal, kill and destroy every human on earth, including all of God’s people. The kind of suffering that Jesus modelled for us is the sacrificial kind for the sake of righteousness and reconciliation with God and not as a result of the deserving punishment for our sins.

REFLECTION

·       Share what might be a suffering that looks like we are sharing in Christ’s passion.

ISAIAH 53 WHEN DESPISED & REJECTED

September 14

ISAIAH 53

Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejectedby men, a man of sorrowsand acquainted withgrief;
and as one from whom men hide their faceshe was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely, he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

                                                                                    -Isaiah 53:1-5                           

ISAIAH 53 WHEN DESPISED & REJECTED

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As we go through life, we will experience being despised

Jesus our Savior was also rejected instead of being praised

He suffered under those whom he actually came to save

So, when you are scorned and excluded, don’t despair

You are sharing in the suffering of our Lord himself

He gave us a model of humility, obedience and strength

Let us follow his example so we can partake of Christ’s glory

If we avoid suffering, we will not be cleansed from impurities.

This account of Isaiah’s prophecy foretells Jesus’ suffering leading to his crucifixion and death. If you have heard the phrase “passion of Christ” you would probably be reminded of Mel Gibson’s film with the same title which depicted the suffering of Jesus from the time of his agony while he was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane up to his death on the cross. I think the interpretation of Gibson of what Jesus went through was to stir the audience to have a glimpse of the suffering and rejection that he bore so that we can be freed from sin. There are mixed reactions to the film but when I watched it in the theater back when I was still in the Philippines, there was complete silence in the movie theatre even though the movie house was full. You could hear a pin drop or the breathing of the people as their jaws dropped in disbelief to watch the suffering that was unimaginable. Others thought it was gory and uncalled for, but I think Gibson succeeded in depicting how Jesus was despised and rejected in the highest degree. We often hate to experience being loathed, discriminated against or rejected. We get angry and automatically want to fight back when we encounter such injustices. This account makes us see the ugliness of this act of rejection. It is painful and almost unbearable, but Christ gave us a perfect way of handling such injustices.

REFLECTION

·       How must a believer react and deal with discrimination, injustice and rejection?

ISAIAH 43 FEAR NOT WHEN YOU SUFFER

September 13

ISAIAH 43

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.2 When you pass through the waters,

  I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
  when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,  the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
  I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
4 Because you are precious in my eyes,   and honored, and I love you,

5 Fear not, for I am with you;   I will bring your offspring from the east,
    and from the west I will gather you.6 I will say to the north, Give up,
    and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the end of the earth,7 everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”– Isaiah 43:1-7

ISAIAH 43 FEAR NOT WHEN YOU SUFFER

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When God adopted you as part of his flock

Always remember that he will never leave you

When you face all kinds of trials and tribulations

That is your prompt to run to God as fast as you can

There is no need to fear when you face suffering

It is your training to endure and grow your character

God promised his people that he’ll never forsake them

Have courage because you are not alone in your adversities.

In this account, the prophet Isaiah brings God’s comforting words to his people, reminding them that God is their Redeemer and Savior. In verse 1, God reminds them that Jacob is where the lineage of the Savior would come from and that it was God’s plan to fulfill his promise to Abraham through all the sons of Jacob. I love the way God told them that he has called them by name and that they belong to him. It is great to hear that all those who believe in the Lord are his own possession. It is like you are actually claimed by the King of kings himself to be part of his kingdom. In verse 4, he reiterates this when he said that all his people are precious in his eyes, honored and loved. Imagine what a world it would be if we all knew our status and value in God’s kingdom. There will be no more loneliness and longing for anything more because we have it all in him. Sadly, our world was tainted by sin and the curse on such sins is that humans turn their back on the truth that we were all made for God.

This prophecy assures the believers that when they go through wilderness and deep waters, we need not fear because of God’s promise of deliverance for all of those whom he loves.

REFLECTION

  • How can we shift our fears and stand on God’s promise of deliverance in all our sufferings?

1 PETER 4 WHEN YOU ARE INSULTED FOR CHRIST’S SAKE

September 12

1 PETER 4

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of gloryand of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

                                                                                   – 1 Peter 4:12-19

1 PETER 4 WHEN YOU ARE INSULTED FOR CHRIST’S SAKE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When people insult you because you’re a Christian

Don’t defend yourself but let the Lord deal with them

This kind of persecution is actually sharing Christ’s suffering

Rejoice and be glad that you are partaking of such misery

Don’t despair because that is your assigned mission field

It is time for you to witness to the power of the Lord

This kind of suffering will make you triumph over the world.

As humans, we automatically retaliate when we are insulted. Most of the put down or discrimination we usually encounter are against our character, reputation or beliefs. Peter is talking here about a different kind of insult. These kinds of affronts are not towards our person but against the Lord Jesus Christ. If we deeply know God, we won’t have to react to such insults because our God knows how to defend himself. We only need to be quiet and let him deal with those who are demeaning or laughing at us because of our faith in Jesus. If you recall, Jesus himself was insulted, abused, ridiculed and mocked. When we are treated the same way that our Lord was, we are sharing in Christ’s suffering. We need not be shocked when people persecute or are partial to us because that is the nature of humanity. After Adam and Eve sinned, we automatically hate God and defy him. Only the cross of Christ will give us access to the ability to want to please God. Otherwise, we will always focus on our fleshly desires and cravings.  

In verse 14, Peter tells us that we should be blessed that we are sharing in such suffering. In verse 15, he cautions us to understand that suffering for Christ is not the same as suffering as a consequence of your sin to murder or do anything evil or wicked. That suffering is a consequence of your disobedience to God and we all know that God hates sin and whoever sins will receive God’s wrath unless they go to Jesus who is the mediator. In Christ alone can we confess, repent and be forgiven whatever sins we have done.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it better to be silent when we are insulted as a Christian? Why not defend ourselves?

1 PETER 4 SUFFER IN THE FLESH TO STOP SINNING

September 11

1 PETER 4

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. – 1 Peter 4:1-6

1 PETER 4 SUFFER IN THE FLESH TO STOP SINNING

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you are chosen by God to be his own

You will now see differently and begin to see the truth

The rest of humanity lives to satisfy their flesh and cravings

But the child of God listens to the Spirit’s voice and nudging

When we suffer in the flesh, we are being purified from sin

Allow yourself to suffer so you could give up hedonism

That is the only way you can share in Christ’s suffering

So, live in the Spirit and he will purify your whole being.

Peter admonishes the church to allow their bodies to suffer in their cravings, just as Christ did when he triumphed over sin. In verse one, he is encouraging the believers to have the same mindset as Christ did when he was in the flesh and was exposed to the same temptations that we are constantly enticed with. But because he didn’t sin even though he was human, he set the example for us to follow.

In verse 2, Peter gives us the reason why we ought to suffer in the flesh or die to our sinful nature. The reason we suffer as believers is because we are serving the Lord. The world system wants us to serve our own “selves” which is against the Spirit of the Lord. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus teaches faithfulness when he said “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Jesus points out that we can’t both serve the world and Him at the same time or we cannot follow our flesh and also the Holy Spirit. We have to die to the flesh so we can serve Jesus. So, when we suffer not getting our pleasures and cravings satisfied, we are being purified from the world system. When God elects a person to become his follower, he equips them to follow the voice of the Spirit and not the voice coming from the world. How do we distinguish these voices? The Holy Spirit’s voice always leads you to bring glory to God while the flesh leads you to follow your sinful desires and make your own kingdom so you can give glory to yourself.

REFLECTION

  • What happens when we always succumb to our flesh and not listen to the Spirit’s voice?

PSALM 34 GOD RESCUES THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

September 10

PSALM 34

15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

                                                                                  – Psalm 34:15-22

PSALM 34 GOD RESCUES THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you are a child of God, no need to fear troubles

Those whom God loves are never left alone in the rubbles

The Lord God rescues the righteous from all their afflictions

He is near to those who are broken hearted and crushed in spirit

There is no need to worry for God keeps his people protected

He doesn’t allow anything to hurt or overwhelm them

But the wicked will be slayed by troubles without help

They have no Savior to redeem them from their distress.

When you read this psalm and you are a Christian, it is so comforting, but for the unbeliever, it would be terrifying to know that they will be left on their own to deal with their afflictions. People may be wondering why God would treat evildoers very differently from his chosen people. Remember that the bible says God is love and those who believe in him know what love is because God gave them the ability to give and receive that love that is given to them when they believed in Christ.

In this psalm, we get a glimpse of the compassion, the provision and protection we have from our heavenly Father himself, if we commit to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. This concept of protection is reiterated in Isaiah 54:17 when the prophet declared that no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Paul also reminded us of this prophecy in Romans 8:31 when he said “If God is for us, who can be against us? So, why do still many believers struggle with facing afflictions fearfully? When we haven’t developed a God-dependent attitude and mindset, we automatically fear pain, suffering and trials. This psalm is a good reminder of God’s steadfast love for all his covenant people.

REFLECTION

  • How can we fight the urge to fear troubles, tribulations and afflictions that come our way?

1 PETER 5 YOU’RE NOT ALONE IN YOUR SUFFERING

September 9

1 PETER 5

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 5:6-11

1 PETER 5 YOU’RE NOT ALONE IN YOUR SUFFERING

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you go through painful trials and hardships

It is not unusual to feel lonely and isolated

That is exactly what the enemy wants you to dwell in

Resist the lie and look at others who are also suffering

You’re not alone in your pain, resist the urge to isolate

Find comfort knowing you’re not alone and connect with others

Hold on to Jesus and you will find restoration and strength

You will begin to face suffering knowing you’ll be able to endure it.

The hard thing with suffering is going through it on your own. This is the reason why we have families, communities and friendships and the body of Christ. When we share our burdens with others as Galatians 6:2 instructs us to bear one another’s burden so we can fulfill the law of Christ. What is the law of Christ? It is the law of love. When we show love and care and support each other in our trials and adversities, the burden becomes light. This is what Jesus promised in Matthew 11. That if we come to him with our suffering and heavy burdens, he will give us rest and make it lighter for us to carry. When we carry our own crosses, we are going to be burnt out and unable to get rest and relief. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can give us this rest. As humans, we don’t know how to rest. We keep on doing and striving instead of letting God do what he only can. We cannot control others or our situations, but he can. When we continue to take control of things during hardships, we just get tired and exhausted not knowing that there is only One (Our Lord) who can do something about it. All we need to do is to come to him and depend on him instead of looking after our own problems and dilemmas.

In this account, Peter reminds the believers of the adversary, the devil’s tactics and how he operates like a roaring lion ready to devour. He gives us a weapon against the enemy through humility, casting all anxieties to God, so we don’t dwell on independence. He told them to resist the devil through a God-dependent mentality and being sober and watchful of the tactics that are hurled towards the believers. If we isolate ourselves from others, we are opening doors for the enemy to devour us.

REFLECTION

  • How can isolation make you intolerable to suffering?

2 CORINTHIANS THE SUFFERING THAT HAS A PAYOFF

September 8

 2 CORINTHIANS 4

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer selfis wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

                                                                                        – 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

2 CORINTHIANS THE SUFFERING THAT HAS A PAYOFF

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you are a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ

You will see suffering and trials in a different light

It is an occasion to grow our endurance and faith

It is a painful experience that has an immense eternal payoff

When you see this life as a stopover before your final destination

You will understand why suffering is part of this earthly venture

This earthly passage is the way that we are being purified for Christ

Without enduring the trials in life, we are not going to be sanctified

So, embrace suffering with joy knowing that you will gain eternal life

Face it with courage so that you can emulate the example of Christ.

As humans, we try our best to avoid suffering and painful experiences. We don’t like it when someone give or cause us pain. This view comes from the world. Because we inherited sin from Adam and Eve, we automatically serve the “self.” In other words, we like to pleasure our own selves and make sure that we are comfortable and happy. Joy and happiness are two different things. Happiness usually results from having what we want and having all the conveniences and desires in life. We are happy when we get something we crave for. Joy is the result of thankfulness for whatever we have. It is counting the blessings that we receive from God. It is not a product of having a material thing but it is a consequence of our relationship and closeness to God.  The worldly notion of suffering is that it dampens happiness and pleasure. Unbelievers totally avoid it. But believers see suffering as a way to receive eternity.

REFLECTION

  • Share how suffering had a big payoff in your life.

PHILIPPIANS 3 SUFFERING LEADS TO RESURRECTION

September 7

PHILIPPIANS 3

 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.  – Philippians 3:7-11

PHILIPPIANS 3 SUFFERING LEADS TO RESURRECTION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Pain comes with losing someone or something you love

The world reacts to loses with much pity for the self

If you serve the Lord, you are required to embrace suffering

After going through it, you build your character and strength

Just as Christ suffered and died so he can be resurrected from death

All his followers are assured of such resurrection if they believe in him.

It is counter intuitive for an unbeliever to hear Paul say in verse 7 that he counts all his gains as losses for the sake of Christ. What does this mean? He is talking about material or earthly gains. We know that God is Spirit according to John 4:24 and he requires for his followers to worship him in spirit and in truth. We cannot see God but we believe that he exists. The things in this world can be visually seen unlike spiritual things. This is why Paul explains in Ephesians 6 that we don’t deal with flesh and blood but with unseen forces which are spiritual. We deal with spiritual battles moment by moment. We don’t see our enemies but we can definitely feel their presence in our thoughts and attitudes. Paul talks about material gains that he counts as unimportant because as a servant of Jesus, he is the only thing that matters to him. The material things don’t count that much when we think of God’s kingdom because they keep us attached to the world instead of focusing our eyes on spiritual things. Paul says that because he loves the Lord, he counts all material things and losses as rubbish because Paul has a “destination mindset.”

Many people begin to get attached to the things they possess and experience, then lose sight of the destination. This world is never the one promised to us by God. It is an obstacle course that we need to go through in order that we can receive God’s promises and rewards in heaven. This world is run by the prince of this world, Satan. The lies he whispers to us are the obstacles to the narrow path towards the righteous road. The devil does not want us to experience suffering because he wants us to believe the lie that this world is good, comfortable and convenient so we will be derailed to focus on spiritual things.

This is why we are warned as believers to pursue sorrow rather than gladness because when we do so, we are suffering with Christ and we will then receive his resurrection promise.

REFLECTION

  • How can suffering keep us focused on spiritual things?

ROMANS 5 THE UPSIDE OF SUFFERING

September 6

ROMANS 5

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, wehave peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faithinto this grace in which we stand, and werejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. – Romans 5:1-5

ROMANS 5 THE UPSIDE OF SUFFERING

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When we belong to the Lord Jesus Christ

He has justified us and given us access to grace

We can now look at suffering in a different way

We use to fear and avoid it when it comes

Now we can see the upside of suffering

It produces endurance and character

When we have character, it produces hope

Hope removes all kinds of humiliation and shame.

If an unbeliever reads the title of this devotional, they would cringe because it would be illogical for them to look at suffering as anything beneficial. In this account, Paul explains to the believers that suffering has a purpose in our lives especially for those who are servants of the Lord. In Malachi 3:3 the prophet describes God Almighty as a refiner when he said: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.” The psalmist also refers to purification of the believers in Psalm 66:10-12  when he wrote: “For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.”

This refining concept is similar to testing a student whether they have learned to apply the theories and

teachings that have been taught in the classes they attended. The test measures their cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills. In the book of James, he stressed the importance of doing the word of God and not just hearing it. What happens if we do not obey and follow the word of God after hearing it? James described it vividly in James 1:22-25 when he said: 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

REFLECTION

  • What do you think happens to a believer who avoids all kinds of trials and sufferings?