1 Peter 4:13: “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
I was reading an old journal of mine from April 2016 this week. I had written down lessons I had learned from a series of tumultuous trials we had experienced. We all have them, but what was more important, was that I had discovered something in 1 Peter 4:13, in my Bible reading that day, that I had not realized before. I had written down, the last part of this verse in my journal: “. . . rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” When going through those successive school of hard knocks, we were in standby mode. God’s glory was revealed later. But in the beginning, we couldn’t see it until we had worked through each one, and the eventual result was like looking in our car’s rearview mirror. The revelation of God’s glory, after that strenuous episode, was unveiled much later.
In 1 Peter, Peter was writing to people, that were discouraged from all of the persecuting they were encountering because of their faith. It is said that Peter was called the “apostle of hope.”
I have not suffered like the New Testament Christians, Peter was writing to, but trials of any nature require strength to walk victoriously. My emotions go rampant and need to be put under control when my endurance is not stretching and incomplete. I seem to go one step forward and then two steps backward in this regard. Do you?
Peter’s primary message in experiencing being in the refining fire of anxiety was:
- Trust the Lord.
- Live in obedience to God, no matter what your circumstance, so there will be no room for criticism.
- Be steadfast.
- Keep your hope on God’s future deliverance of the battle.
- There is always an end to any trial in life.
- Wait with patience even though you cannot see the reason or the finish line.
- Expect God’s glory to be revealed out of a time of suffering. That is a promise.
I have to admit, out of each trial in life I have gone through, I have gained knowledge and wisdom afterward. But I have not always seen the promise of it being for my benefit as Romans 8:28 declares: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” In some of the trials I have gone through, I haven’t seen “God’s glory” revealed to me until years later. But I have learned it has to with the changing of my heart, more than the changing of the circumstance. My attitude may be the problem. God’s glory is revealed in the radiance and joy displayed in the molding of my heart and mind, as I draw upon God’s strength to fulfill my desire, raise me up when bowed down with cares, and receiving His grace and mercy abounding from His love for me (Psalm 145). That is the revelation in my life of God’s glory being revealed.
I have been told in various work emails: “standby, more will be revealed later.” I am only given part of the information or instruction in the beginning. It usually has to do with an announcement about changes in policies or personnel. I have to wait for the rest to be disclosed to understand why. Our faith, hope, and trust in the sufficiency of Christ is much the same scenario.
If you are ‘in the wait” and standing by for news that is good or bad, have these verses by your side:
- Psalm 27:13-14, NIV: “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
- Psalm 34:22: “The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.”
- Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Beth Moore made a statement in her recent Bible study series “Watermarks”: “What is not fair? I’ll tell you what is not fair. God’s grace is not fair, but he freely gives it to each one of us. Nothing you have been through is wasted – God wants to use it all.” Yes, God has given me His grace when I so don’t deserve it.
May Psalm 145:1-2 become your prayer while standing firm and growing and learning when you are in standby mode, and waiting for more to be revealed. Pray these words to God as a sacrificial prayer of praise to Him in expectancy: “I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever; every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.” Then standby, and wait on God-for more will be revealed later.
Two Questions:
Are you more like Jesus before a trial, or after the storm?
How have you experienced the grace of God in your life when you did not deserve it?
Remember, standby – more will be revealed later. Meanwhile, give glory to God for what He has in store when His purpose in your thorn is accomplished, and the transformation is unveiled.
My prayer today: “Dear God: Show me your glory today. I am standing by and waiting for more to be revealed later from your sovereign plan. Amen.”
Listen to John Waller’s song (with lyrics) “While I Am Waiting.”