1 Peter 4:12-19

Pastor Dave organized his sermon around three contrasting statements drawn from this week’s passage.

Don’t be surprised … but … rejoice. What is our response to a fiery trial, to suffering? Do we ask, “Why is this happening to me?” Do we try to dodge the suffering or get out of it as quickly as possible? Those are fleshly, not godly, responses. Peter tells us not to be surprised by trials and, in fact, to rejoice in them. Pastor Dave explained that we can rejoice because God has purposes in our suffering. What trial are you in the midst of today? It might involve your physical health, finances, relationships, employment, … (fill in the blank). Lord, my intellect understands that You use suffering to refine and purify me. Help me so embrace that truth in the core of my being that I can rejoice in the work You are doing in my life, as painful as it is. I rejoice that I belong to You.

You are blessed … but … don’t suffer for evil. In other words, don’t bring more suffering on yourself by wrongdoing. Dave applied this point to parenting: Parents must teach their children that wrongdoing brings suffering and should therefore be avoided. If you are a parent, even of adult children, pray for the wisdom and strength to let your child suffer the natural consequences of bad behavior or foolish choices instead of bailing them out. If you are not a parent, pray for parents you know.

Do not be ashamed … but … glorify God. Dave noted that sometimes we do wrong and suffer as a result, but the suffering causes us to go underground. We feel ashamed and hide our sin. Consider, for example, a young mother with a hot temper who sins by taking out her anger on her husband and children. She knows it is wrong; when she has calmed down, she feels ashamed. But when the family goes to church, she puts on a smiling, “everything is just fine” mask and hides her besetting sin. I think Dave would counsel that young woman to confess her sin to God and to a few trusted sisters in Christ, perhaps in her small group. Confessing and repenting and then changing in the context of the body of Christ glorifies Him. Before the Lord, ask: Is there anything I am hiding and ashamed of? Ask the Lord to help you drag your shame into His light.

Calvary Family

As we worshiped on Sunday, I thought of Christians in Ukraine. I imagined them meeting in basements and bomb shelters to worship the Lord. As we sang “It Is Well,” I prayed that our brothers and sisters in a war zone would be able to sing that song from the heart and experience the peace that comes from relying wholly on God. As we pray for Ukraine, pray for families divided by the fighting. News reports say that half a million people have fled Ukraine, seeking safety in other countries. Most are women and children because Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 are not permitted to leave the country. Pray for our friends in Poland – Pastor Tomasz and Kamilla Chylka and their church in Pszczyna – as they minister to fearful Poles and look for ways to serve refugees.* Pray for God’s will to be done, for His purposes in the conflict to be accomplished.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

 This is an abbreviated version of the prayer blog. Contact us to subscribe to the full version, which includes personal prayer requests.