Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Peter 4:12-19.

 

“¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;  ¹³ but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.  ¹⁴ If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.  ¹⁵ Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;  ¹⁶ but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.  ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God;  and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  ¹⁸ And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?  ¹⁹ Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”  1 Peter 4:12-19.

 

——————–

 

The righteous often suffer first, but the outcome is much worse for the wicked.  The following 2 Peter 2:4-9 helps us to understand verses 17 to 18 above.   

 

We can imagine that Noah probably suffered by being mocked by those who watched him build his ark.  Lot suffered by being surrounded by wicked conduct. 

 

And, it was with difficulty that they were saved.  Noah was flooded by water and had to wait forty days in an ark.  Lot was bombarded by fire and had to march out of the city without looking back.  But, much worse, we know what happened to “the godless man and the sinner”.

 

“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;  and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;  and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter;  and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,”  2 Peter 2:4-9.

 

 

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

 

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.   Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great;  for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Matthew 5:10-12.

 

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”  1 Peter 1:6-9.

                               

                                  

“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.  To Him be dominion forever and ever.  Amen.”  1 Peter 5:10-11.