restoration – BradRiley.Org

The Old Testament people of God didn’t have a developed theology of resurrection. There was an understanding that when a person died they descended to ‘Sheol’ (Hebrew) or ‘Hades’ (Greek), a place for the dead. Gradually they understood Sheol to have two sides, one for the righteous who were somehow comforted by God, and the other for those who were not; theirs was a place of darkness and suffering. As we pray with the Psalmist in Psalm 16, we see that he believed the Lord would not abandon him to the ‘Pit’, the dark side of Sheol for the unrighteous dead.

In this Psalm we can hear the voice of Jesus as David prays prophetically. He prays in faith, knowing His Father (the Lord) will not abandon him after death. Jesus always knew His road would lead to the cross. Whenever the knowledge of such impending suffering would overwhelm Him, He took comfort in the Lord’s leading. Ultimately, He knew the “path of life”, lead to “fullness of joy” and “pleasures for evermore” (v. 11).

To where does you heart run when you’re overwhelmed with the pain and struggles of this life? As Christians we can take comfort in knowing our Father will not abandon us to the Pit. We too can know the promises of God are of joy and peace for evermore. St. Peter reminds us that in this life we will have times of trial and testing, but if we will “cast our anxieties on Him”, we can be assured He cares for us, “And after you have suffered a little while, The God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you.” (1 Ptr. 5:7,10)

So today, no matter where the day takes you, let you heart be glad, let your soul rejoice, and know that your body will dwell secure (v 9), for there is no good apart from God (v 2). Let you heart run to the promise of resurrection.

Shalom,

Pastor Brad

image credit: alittleperspective.com

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, establish, and strengthen you.

1 Peter 5:10

Do you realize what it means that God has “called you to his eternal glory in Christ”? It’s imperative that we understand this incredible promise. There is much suffering in this life, and if we don’t understand the plan of God, as He’s revealed it, then we worry and lose hope easily. Here’s the main thing God wants us to know – for those in Christ, the end of all suffering is glory.

Suffering, far from being a deterrent to faith, should give us strength. In Romans 8:17, St. Paul says we are heirs with Christ, if we suffer with Him. But what do we inherit? Eternal glory. That’s right, we inherit all the glory of the eternal kingdom of Christ, and as one old song writer put it, “It will be worth it all!”

So how does the knowledge of such a great inheritance help give us strength through our suffering? St. Peter has the answer; the “God of all grace” will only let us suffer, “a little while” before He brings restoration, and strength. A part of His restoration and strength is our seeing the Father was faithful to Jesus as He suffered so we can trust Him to be faithful to us also. Isn’t resurrection to eternal glory worth the suffering we endure here and now? I hope you see that it is.

Suffering comes upon all humanity because we live in a fallen world, a world temporarily ruled by sin. But sins curse is broken for those who believe in Christ. So the question isn’t will we suffer in this life, we will. The real question is how will we suffer? Will we suffer so as to gain the glory? When we choose to suffer in Christ we are flooded with waves of mercy because we never suffer alone.

Grace and Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Father of all Mercy, look upon your suffering servant even as you did your son Jesus. Help me today to see I am not alone in my suffering. Help me to see Your restoration and strength coming to me in a little while. Amen.

Image credit:http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/04/13/guillory.end.of.life.care/

Tag: restoration

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