Good morning,
Instead, be very glad!
This week in America was a special kind of holiday that was based on parties and dressed up children who would come to your door and say “Trick or Treat”. In the old days the kids would get candy and food from their neighbors and friends, but now this holiday to the Devil has become so dangerous that parents must be very careful to control what their kids do or say or eat because angry people will do hateful things as a joke. The same problem of angry people and hate filled groups are springing up all over the world. Sadly, the rules for our new generations of adults and kids have now become “Do it my way, or you will pay”. As Christians, we are now seeing the same hate and anger being directed towards us from our governments and our schools and the people who are telling us what is right and wrong for the way we should live. But really, this is not a new problem at all. History is full of these kinds of challenges, and the Bible is very clear that all of the generations of God’s family have found themselves facing this same kind of anger and hate. Peter reminds us, Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. (1Pet.4:12) God’s Enemy does his best to frighten us to do things his way, but God has allowed this for a very different reason. Again Peter tells us,Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.(v.13) When we obey his loving directions we can be sure of God’s pleasure now and for all of eternity.
God has promised that he would never leave us or forsake us,(Jn.14:16) So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.(v.14) Our Savior and Lord are living in us and God’s Holy Spirit is always there to give us God’s genuine peace in the face of the hateful threats of our old master. Our enemies can only do what our Good Shepherd allows them to do, and nothing more. It’s true that danger and threats are all around us, but the greatest dangers are not designed to punish us, but to grow us in our faith and confidence in our Savior and Lord. Peter again reminds us that, For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?(v.17) The threats that are thrown against us require us to decide if we are genuinely going to trust God, or not. The real bad news is that God is watching all of the wicked and hateful people as well, and He will be their judge in eternity. When he tells these ungodly people, ‘I don't know you. Go away, all you who do evil.’(Lk.13:27) there will be nothing but pain and punishment for them for all of eternity. Jesus has warned us that there will be difficult times like today, so what are we supposed to do? So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.(1Pet.4:19) Dear Lord, please help us to remember that the people around us who are trying to shame us are not telling us the truth. Please help us to remember all the privileges and responsibilities that you have given us as members of your eternal family. Thank you Lord!
1Peter 4:6 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!
Roy Wisner
