The Resistance - Day 04
Day 04: Thursday, February 02
Read 1 Peter Chapter 4
Highlight
As we have read through 1 Peter it’s clear that Peter has a lot to say about suffering. Verses 12-19 of Chapter 4 is Peter’s summarizing statement of everything he has said up until now. It can be easy to read these words as stern, but the first word of verse 12 is agapētoi in Greek. This is a term of affection and intimacy, like a gentle father talking to their child. Peter, who has suffered much for his faith and will ultimately be martyred, is not yelling at us. He is whispering encouraging words and reminding us that suffering shouldn’t be surprising. After all, Jesus himself predicted all of this.
In Matthew 5:11-12, Jesus also tells us to rejoice in our sufferings. And in John 15:20 he tells us that we will face the same persecution that he did. Our hope is not based on a God that would prevent us from experiencing these things in this life. That was never promised to us. Instead, we “entrust [our] souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” Let the passage challenge you as you reflect on it, but always cling to the full context of Scripture, which tells us that “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Praise God!
Prayer
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration - Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession - Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving - Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication - Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Read 1 Peter Chapter 4
Highlight
As we have read through 1 Peter it’s clear that Peter has a lot to say about suffering. Verses 12-19 of Chapter 4 is Peter’s summarizing statement of everything he has said up until now. It can be easy to read these words as stern, but the first word of verse 12 is agapētoi in Greek. This is a term of affection and intimacy, like a gentle father talking to their child. Peter, who has suffered much for his faith and will ultimately be martyred, is not yelling at us. He is whispering encouraging words and reminding us that suffering shouldn’t be surprising. After all, Jesus himself predicted all of this.
In Matthew 5:11-12, Jesus also tells us to rejoice in our sufferings. And in John 15:20 he tells us that we will face the same persecution that he did. Our hope is not based on a God that would prevent us from experiencing these things in this life. That was never promised to us. Instead, we “entrust [our] souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” Let the passage challenge you as you reflect on it, but always cling to the full context of Scripture, which tells us that “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Praise God!
- What truth does this passage communicate about God? About us? About our world?
- Has God used this passage to highlight something that is wrong in your life?
- What does this passage teach us to do? What is one practical thing you can do to apply this to your life?
Prayer
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration - Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession - Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving - Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication - Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Posted in The Resistance