Our next devotion will be based upon 1 Peter 5:10…. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you].
In our next section of Scripture, we find some of the benefits that we receive after faithfully standing against the devil. Not only will we receive eternal blessings for our faithfulness in opposition, but we find temporal blessings will directly result as well. These blessings are a partial explanation for the Lord’s allowance of Satanic opposition in a Christian’s life.
What are the temporal blessings that come our way as we firmly stand in our service to the Lord?
1. perfect – to repair, to adjust, to make complete – The Lord “grows us up” , working towards us become mature Christians who are experienced, knowledgeable, understanding, and wise.
2. stablish – to set, to establish, to confirm, – He confirms and supports that which is pleasing to Him in our lives.
3. strength – to hold up, to strengthen, to support – He strengthens the weak areas of our lives that need improvement
4. settled – to build foundation – He then places a foundation under the above three workings in our life, giving them meaning and making “a lasting impression” on our lives.
In other words, as we stand firm against the devil:
1. the Lord then blesses us by maturing us as we experience the opposition;
2. He shows us our areas of strength and emphasizes our need to continue in their path;
3. He shows us areas of weaknesses, and works to improve and strengthen them;
4. and then, finally, He makes all of these changes long-lasting in our lives, as we look back at the trial and continue to apply the lessons we have learned to our future spiritual warfare for Him.
Col 1:21-23 (KJV) And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, [and] which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
As we face opposition to our service for Christ, many times it seems as if the opposition will never be taken from us. It is during these times that we must remember that the Lord is allowing us to “suffer awhile” for our good. He is simply making the way to bless us with these temporal blessings and eternal rewards that are yet to come. May we all patiently bear the burden of Satanic intervention keeping our eyes on Christ and remembering the blessings that are to come.
May the Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
A beautiful message for this September 11.
Thanks for your kind words… it is amazing to me how the Lord’s Words can apply to our lives and comfort us in many different situations of life. May the Lord continue to bless youa nd your efforts.
Reblogged this on JUSTICE FOR RAYMOND and commented:
A beautiful message for this September 11.
a great message for me, thank you!
Terry,
I am so thankful to the Lord for His Word and the comfort that it can bring to us. May He contiue to bless you. Still praying for His leadership and stregnth for you.
thank you Rob
You are more than welcome my friend.
Yes, on this day of 09/11, we Americans are painfully reminded of “suffering a little while”. Let us truly know that “If God be for us, who can come against us?”
Thank you for the encouraging words. You are so correct with God on our side, what are we to fear? NOTHING! Take care, Lord bless.
As I look back to times of ‘suffering’ I can praise God, for very clearly I can see those four blessings – perfect / stablish / strength / settled. I can see ‘growth spurts’ because of those times and as I move onwards, I know that ‘each victory will help me, some other to win’ (knowing, of course, that it is HIS victory)
What an amazing God!
Angela,
What a blessing it is to be able to experience the truths of God’s Word first hand. Also what a blessing it is to be able to discern the Lord working in our lives in the midst of the troubles we face. For many, even when the Lord works they donot recognize His workings. As I grow a bit older I am more clearly recognizing all He has done in my life in the past and present issues that I face. My prayer is that all of us have our eyes opened to His wondrous workings, I is continually performing in our lives as a result of the trials that we face. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences that support what the Lord, through His Word promises. May He continue to bless you richly my friend.
I am reminded that He is always doing soooo much in our lives. It’s never just this or that, it is a combination and intricate working of many aspects! God bless you, Pastor Rob, as you teach and strengthen us.
AMEN! It is like you say… He is always working in many aspects and levels of my life. What a blessing and encouragement for us! Lord bless.