Made for This MomentSample

MADE FOR THIS MOMENT: PETER

Suffering for Strength

WARM-UP

”And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” --1 Peter 5:10

ON THE PITCH

Peter was not perfect. He wasn’t even close to perfect, yet he was chosen by the Lord specifically. Peter was chosen, perhaps because of the suffering he had endured. As a follower of Jesus, Peter's life was messy and dishonest. He was chosen because he knew God the Father through the work of the Spirit. Peter had grown in his spiritual maturity all throughout his life, specifically through trials and suffering.

One of my favorite stories about Peter is written in Matthew 14. Peter was on a boat with other disciples one evening. Jesus approaches the disciples, walking on water, yet they do not recognize Him. Instead, they believe Jesus is a ghost. Peter says to Jesus, “Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water” (Matthew 14:28).

Peter then begins to walk out onto the water, face to face with Jesus Christ. Yet, his fear takes over when he feels the strong winds. His spiritual gaze shifts from focusing on the Father to focusing on His current fear. Can you imagine being face-to-face with Jesus and still doubting His strength? Jesus delivered him from sinking and asked him, “Why did you doubt?”

This story isn't meant to shine Peter in a bad light. I imagine we’d all like to believe that we would never doubt His power if we knew Jesus intimately and had physically held His hand. If only that were true. What storms have you experienced in your life that you found yourself more focused on your fear than on Jesus? When we go through deep water, the Lord is with us. He never abandons us in the storm.

EXTRA TIME

John 16:33; 2 Corinthians 4:8-15

PRAYER

Lord, I pray you would be with me in my suffering, be it physical, emotional, or spiritual. I know that when I am bound with you, God, I cannot lose. No matter the outcomes this life may bring me, the true prize, the most valuable trophy, is my relationship with you, God. Lord, help me know in my soul that if you are not going to deliver me from suffering, you will lead me through it, creating more reliance on you, Lord. This is the real victory. Amen.