But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. – 1 Peter 3:14
God was going to be rid of them all, every man, woman, and child on Earth, “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). Because of that, the Lord gave him a daunting task that only a man of faith could accomplish. Noah was to build an ark. And no one had ever even experienced rain, much less a flood!
There was no way to hide an object 350 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Can you imagine the ridicule he and his family had to endure in following the Lord’s instructions? The wickedness of man was great, and “every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Through it all, Noah was faithful, and was blessed for it.
Christ Jesus faced abuse, both verbally and physically, for the words He proclaimed. He suffered pain one cannot imagine for the sins of every person on Earth, and He died on the cross. He remained faithful to God the Father, who raised Him from the dead. He now sits at the right hand of the Father in Heaven (Hebrews 1:1-3).
The apostles and the early church faced persecution because they believed in Christ as their Savior, and they proclaimed the Good News. Peter called them to be faithful. Their merciful God had caused them to be “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3), and they would live again.
There are many who suffer because of their faith today. Pray that the Lord gives them the strength to endure the trials. Then pray for the believers in government that they would persevere in their faith even in difficult situations.
Today’s Verse:1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
