Scripture to Read: 1 Peter 4:12
God has a lot in store for us this week as we examine 1 Peter 4:12–19 and finish out 1 Peter 4. God gets very specific with us this week about suffering and how to deal with it as we walk in obedience to Him. As God led Peter to write 1 Peter 4:12, the verse starts with“ Beloved,” which is incredibly encouraging for all of us as believers. God reminds us that we are His beloved children and that He loves us with His everlasting, unconditional love. Unfortunately, way too many people today walk through this life not knowing whether anyone loves them. The Good News, though, for every believer is that God erases all doubt about His love for us. God does love all non-believers, for Christ died for them. But the non-believer is clueless about God’s love because they don’t even know Him yet. As Christians, knowing that we’re unconditionally loved destroys all fear in our lives (1 John 4:18–19). With that fear being obliterated, we can live each day encouraged and confident as God’s children. Now, God also tells us that we are not to be surprised at the fiery trials we face in this life. The reason we’re not to be surprised at the trials is that God uses those trials to test us and to grow us up in our faith in Him (James 1:2–4). Since we know we face trials, we need to guard against the lie that we deserve an easy life. God never promised us “easy.”
Challenge & Application
· How are you living your life differently, knowing that you are absolutely “beloved” by God?
· How are you guarding against the mindset that your life ought to be easy, carefree, and zero tests and trials?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!