Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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God’s Unfailing Presence in Crisis

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 5:6-11

Key verse 7

Key verse- Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (NIV).

DEVOTION

When hard times and ordeals strike us, we all stumble and our faith is tested. Even  in this modern era, with all the tools we have to fight and overcome many a crisis, we panic and our faith in God is shaken. We at times even doubt the existence of God. Now think for a moment about the pathetic conditions experienced, and the challenges faced, by  the first-century Christians who were subjected to persecutions from everywhere, especially from agents of Roman Empire where Cesar was worshipped as God, as well  as from Jews who tormented them for embracing the new faith.  
In this passage, and throughout his epistle, Apostle Peter refers to the impact situation. Addressing the first or second generation of Christians scattered in the Roman province of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey),  Peter tries to console those suffering Christians and emboldens them with the positive vision that this transitional period of misery is short-lived. He exhorts them to  hold on to the faith in Christ, and grow in him day by day as well, and then awaiting them  is the heavenly glory. 
Through this exhortation, he also provides a an assurance of redemption for us, the 21 st century Christians who are facing various kinds of challenges and temptations from the devil and his/its  agents.
Calling for patient endurance in the trials, Peter wanted them, and us as well, to be humble before God and submit  to His will so that he will exalt all in His time. He points out that Christian suffering and trials are not limited to one particular region, but universal in nature, and that the devil is the villain everywhere. Steadfast faith in Jesus is the answer for resisting the designs of the devil, Peter says. He recalls Jesus’ promise to us that he will be always be with us, through thick and thin, and ease our burdens as a yoke-mate, if we submit to his will and live in him. The great reward promised in such a Christian living is eternal life.
Apostle Peter describes the Christians as elected and chosen by God. He reminds them that they do not belong to this world, and that our ultimate abode is the place our Lord Jesus has prepared for us in heaven. So he calls Christians  aliens and  (pilgrims-NKJV, strangers-KJV, exiles-NIV, foreigners-NLT and refugees (GNB)). So always remember not to conform to this world and that our citizenship is in heaven. So let us all earn that citizenship by growing in faith every day and  living in Christ in this transitional world.

PRAYER

Our dear God, help us to be persistent in our faith in you even in the midst of suffering, and make us humble enough to submit to your will always. Thank you  lord for always being with us, and taking care of us and sharing our burdens. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 Have you experienced God’s intervention in your personal  crisis at  any time? If not, what could be the reason/s?

 

Abraham Thariath, Epiphany Mar Thoma Church .New York

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