The Battle is Not Forever

The Christian life began for each of us with the suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross where He bore the penalty of our sins. Suffering is used by God again as a tool in the life of believers to sharpen and develop our characters.

When we look at our lives, especially our futures, we need to consider Jesus Christ’s promise of His return to take us out of the world and then return with us to reign on the earth. Jesus’ second coming and His program for the future is our future. Rather than some ethereal, ephemeral idea, this is doctrine and relevant for our lives today.

Nothing buoys you up in a time of trouble and suffering like the reality that Jesus Christ is returning for His own. You will see Him someday; you will stand in His presence. That will be such a beautiful time of blessing, and Peter tells us to remember this during our present suffering.

As an elder, Peter wrote to the young church, providing for and protecting them and instructing and directing them. Peter also challenges elders to minister for the right reason, in the right spirit, not because they must do it but because they freely choose to. “Do it willingly,” he said. There’s no value in serving the Lord in any capacity if you’re doing it under constraint or for the wrong motive. Serve the Lord for the sheer delight of pleasing Him. After all, we serve the Chief Shepherd to whom we are accountable and who will Himself reward our service with eternal rewards.

When we live and serve and endure suffering as Peter directs, we live in humility before the Lord and each other. We are to “be clothed with humility”—actually armed with it. Why is humility so important? A proud person is not able to experience God’s grace. It’s under God’s mighty hand that we humble ourselves; He’ll be the judge over our lives.

Our Great Shepherd also cares for us today; He understands what makes us anxious. The Lord invites us to come to Him with these burdens. Bring your burden of sins to Him, too, and He will save you. He will help you with your problems. Cast your care upon Him. Take it to the Lord in prayer, and leave it there—don’t pick it up again.

As a shepherd, Jesus knows the predator who wants to devour us. “Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Resist the devil on the loose today with the power God gives you. You can’t resist the devil by yourself. You not only need the armor of God, but you will also need other believers to stand with you.

This battle is not forever. Someday God will call us into His glory through Jesus Christ. We will have no glory in ourselves but simply will reflect His glory, like the moon reflects the sun. Our glory will be only reflected glory, but we will shine.

After you carry this suffering in this life, God Himself will make you whole, secure, and strong. He will bring you to completion and restore you. What a wonderful day that will be.

As a word of benediction, Peter concludes, “To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Then he adds a little P.S., sending a personal word from himself and those with him to further encourage the church. “The reason I’m writing,” Peter says in effect, “is to call you to courage.” Stand firm in the faith since suffering for the Savior is part of being a recipient of God’s grace (v. 9). And be confident that His grace will be enough to help you in this season of suffering before He comes for us.