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Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sistersthroughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (! Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11)
One of the things I disliked most about school were the tests. I liked more coloring, cutting, pasting, recess and refreshments. As I advanced in grades, the notion of being tested was slowly introduced (induced?) into me. I remember going into junior high and hearing about Pop Quizzes, and that really freaked me out. And I can clearly remember the first one, when the teacher said, "Clear your desks, take out a clean sheet of paper and your pen or pencil - we're having a pop quiz!" Gulp. For that reason, I cannot understand the number of "tests" that appear on FaceBook and the number of tests that my darling bride has asked me to take. "Find out what region of the country you are from." Well, I know what region of the country I am from. And at different points of ministry, a list of events and questions were handed to me which asked these to determine what level of stress I was under. I thought there should be only one question on this test/survey: DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING? The obvious answer is of course, YES; and if YES, you're under stress!
I'm making light of what some of us are enduring right now, but to illustrate the power of this passage. Some are facing major medical challenges. Some have loved ones who are near the end of their earthly journey. Some are discovering the wedded bliss has turned into a blister; and some are doubting or questioning their faith. Peter writes from experience that no matter the "test" we are facing, we are to rejoice knowing that we are sharing Christ's sufferings, and Christ's presence in our lives. Peter says we are blessed! Why? Because, he write, "the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you." If the testing gets too hard, that same Spirit stops resting and goes into action on our situation. All we have to do, Peter writes, is to "humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that God may exalt us in due time. Listen to this: "Cast ALL your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you!" We still have to stand steady in our faith; we need to say no to the temptations of the devil, and know that God will soon Himself, "restore, support, strengthen, and establish you." And we say, "To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."
Dear friend, that is powerful. God will restore you. That means make well and whole that which you feel right now is falling apart. God will support you. That means that as weak as you feel and you think you are about to just fall on your face, God will hold you up, strong and steady. God will strengthen you. That means our weakness becomes God's strength in us. God will establish you. That means that people will recognize in us the presence and strength of God in our lives. They may even wonder where the old you went!
PRAYER: Bless this dear reader, Lord. That which Peter wrote, let it be ours. We need for you to restore, support, strengthen, and establish us. We need victory over all we face for You to be glorified. This we pray in Christ Jesus our Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Don't let the test of life bring you down. Regardless what region of the country you're from!
Eradio Valverde
