4 promises for suffering Saints

 Read 1 Peter 5.

The Apostle Peter wrote this letter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to encourage believers who were suffering for their faith.  They endured great losses, and though they lived in exile, they continued to be persecuted.

"But what about me?" is a common and expected question for one to ask in such circumstances.  Rightfully so, hurting people want relief.  Healing, resolve, and answers to prayer do not always come immediately.  Most often, these things take time, if ever, in this life (Hebrews 11:39).  For the follower of Christ, it is the patient endurance through these tests that prove the genuineness of our faith (1 Peter 1:7).

What we are to do.
So, what are we to do in the meantime?  There is a list of five action items provided in verses 6-9.  The marvelous truth contained in verse 7 is "...casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."  It is the unyielding trust in our unchanging Lord that sustains us through every trial.

What God will do.
In verse 10 is the ultimate encouragement for suffering saints.
We recognize that the impacts of all losses are temporal and at worst for "a little while".  Our hope is fixed in "the God of all grace" who loves us and is working out His eternal plan in and through us.  Among His many promises to followers of Jesus include these four actions from the Lord.  Notice how personal these actions are.

1. He will restore you.
When one is suffering a loss, they want back what was taken or replaced with something even better.  This is not necessarily a material restoration, though God restored to Job a double amount after his suffering (Job 42:10).  Most often, in this life, what is of even more value is the emotional healing that is needed to make us feel whole again.  He is "the God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).  In addition, the rewards that await us will make all these earthly losses quickly fade from memory.  Those gains will never be taken away.

2. He will confirm you.
When one is suffering a loss, they will normally experience some doubts about their faith and their future.  Not only confidence of faith but self-confidence can easily waver.  In 2 Peter 1, our standing with God is confirmed as we practice the godly qualities found in verses 5-10.  Endurance means we keep going even when we do not feel like it.  As we maintain our spiritual disciplines, God confirms His word and His love to us.

3. He will strengthen you.
When one is suffering a loss, they will often have feelings of weakness and helplessness.  Memorize some of God's promises.  "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  (Isaiah 41:10)

4. He will establish you.
When one is suffering a loss, they will feel unsettled.  The foundations of their life have been shaken.  It is in these times that our faithfulness in every direction is being tested.  "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor in not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58)