Devotional Thoughts: Do not be surprised at suffering

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1 Peter 4:12-19 ...

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.

When Peter wrote this, I wonder if he was thinking about the teachings of Jesus found in places like Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21?

Mark 13:9, But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.

But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

I also wonder to what extent the Apostles were familiar with each other's writings?

This verse reminded me of Philippians 3:10-11 where Paul believed he could in share in the sufferings of Christ and thus, like Christ be vindicated in resurrection, that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians is estimated to have been written in AD 61, while I Peter dates prior to 67/68, the time he died. Thus, it is possible that Peter might have known about Paul's letter to the Philippians. However, another possibility is that the theme of sharing in the sufferings of Christ was simply a widely held attitude among the early believers and Peter is simply reminding his readers of this.

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

The idea of being blessed for suffering recalls the part about suffering in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:11-12, Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

What is the believer's response to suffering?

On one hand, those who suffer for their faith could throw up their hands and simply give up in resignation to the karmic fates that have fallen them. On the other, one could say, there is so much suffering, I should eat, drink and be merry while I can and have a blast while I last.

Instead, Jesus followers are challenged to go a third way, yes, we are to have an acceptance that suffering is a part of life but we are also to have a zeal for doing good amidst it.

Lord, help me to be a faithful to you. I don't like the idea of suffering. And certainly, here in the USA, there isn't much suffering for having faith; maybe some ridicule. Yet, even that I fear. Lord, have mercy upon me and give me courage. And may you give an extra measure of courage for your followers who in other parts of the world suffer and die for calling you Lord. Give them a vision of your faithfulness and assurances that they will be welcomed into your kingdom with honor for their endurance. Amen.