And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. — 1 Peter 5:10-11

Reading: 1 Peter 5:6-11        

Reflection:

In my last devotional, I discussed how the apostle Peter encourages a congregation grieved by various trials (1:6) to proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (2:9), particularly by keep[ing] your conduct among the Gentiles honorable (2:12).

Peter ends his letter in chapter 5 with what we might view as a doxology. It contains encouraging statements telling us that God exalts the humble (v. 6); that we can cast our anxieties upon him, because he cares for us (v. 7, which seems particularly relevant right now); and that God will restore us (v. 10).

But in this passage, as throughout the entire letter (and the entire New Testament!), encouragement is interwoven with exhortation. While encouraging the congregation in these ways, he also exhorts them to humble themselves (v. 6), to be sober-minded and watchful (v. 7), and to resist the devil, drawing encouragement from the common suffering being experienced by all Christians (v. 9). Some of these exhortations may seem to undo some of the encouraging statements, such as “Cast your anxieties upon him” being followed by “Watch out, the devil’s looking to get you!” 

The key to being encouraged even through these statements is to understand and believe what Peter says in verse 10: And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. It is only in view of eternity that we can begin to feel that our lifelong suffering is truly a little while. It is only with a firm hope in eternity that we can bear our sufferings in a way that proclaims God’s excellencies to the world. Because if this life is all that we have, then what is lost in times of suffering is truly lost. It is only in resurrection that our suffering will be redeemed.

Our current suffering is of a different kind than that which Peter addresses; the various sufferings due to COVID-19 are not the same as suffering persecution for the faith. But just as Peter warned the recipients of his letter that Satan was waiting to devour them should they fall, we also would do well to be warned, and to be emboldened to bear the various trials of this time with humility, watchfulness, and grace. We can do this because ultimately, when we enter into the full glory of Christ, God will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish [us]. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen (vv. 10-11).

Response:

1. What particular aspects of your life during the COVID-19 pandemic might Satan be looking to exploit? Social isolation and loneliness? Your household getting on each other’s nerves? Anxiety about the economy? Political frustrations? Something else?
   
   
2. How can you be watchful in these areas? What will it take to resist the devil and be firm in your faith?
   
   
3. Is your hope of eternity impacting how you think, feel, and act during the pandemic? How might your hope of eternity help you reach those who are struggling to have hope?