And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (I Peter 5:10 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Be Restored
We used to tell our exhausted football players during practice, “No pain, no gain!” They did not like that phrase, however encouragingly the coaches intended it…
Peter probably would have worded it a little differently. He would not be telling the boys that pain causes gain. But he would be telling them that pain precedes gain.
Notice that list of things Christ does for us after we suffer.
He restores us. Not only to our pre-suffering health, but to the pre-Adam presence of God!
He confirms us. Not only to give us confidence, but confirming us to our true identity as the children of God!
He strengthens us. Not only so that we can achieve our goals, but so that we can do what HE loves His children to do.
He establishes us. Not only so that we have a home, but so that we have HIS home.
And the next verse is good news. If God was restoring, confirming, strengthening, and establishing us because we were somehow brilliant in His eyes, I would be insecure. I would be afraid all over again. What if I become less brilliant tomorrow? If His actions are my reward… I know that I didn’t and won’t deserve them.
But Peter puts it in context: To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 5:11 ESV)
It is all about HIM.
Fear not, then be restored.