March 15, 2023

1 Peter 4:12-19 (HCSB)
12 Dear friends, when the fiery ordeal arises among you to test you, don't be surprised by it, as if something unusual were happening to you.13 Instead, as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah rejoice, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory.  14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.15 None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a meddler.16 But if [anyone suffers] as a Christian, he should not be ashamed, but should glorify God with that name.17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? 19 So those who suffer according to God's will should, in doing good, entrust themselves to a faithful Creator.

Rachel Raley
Peter is writing to dispersed, persecuted Christians. The Christians were dispersed because the emperor, Nero, set Rome on fire in hopes to rebuild it for fame. Nero blamed the Christians for this fire. The Romans believed Nero’s lie because they hated Christians for their association with Jews and their new teaching. Four necessary attitudes we can take from Peter’s writing when we face trials: expect them, rejoice in them, think about the cause of them, and trust God in them. As Christians, we can take comfort that all trials are under the sovereignty of God. This momentary affliction can’t be compared to the glory that we are going to receive. If we are entering into the kingdom of God with this difficulty, imagine how difficult it will be for those who end up under the judgement of the Almighty God not being saved. This should weigh heavy on us as we pray for those who don’t know Him.