Grace For The Journey

  This week we have been looking at the truths in 1 Peter 5:6-10 that help us deal triumphantly with our battles.  If you have been a Christian for very long, you have realized something that is an absolute certainty. . .

Every believer fights battles.

The problem is not that we face battles; the problem is that we face far too many of them in our own strength.  We have forgotten what the Bible teaches about battles . . .

The Battle Is The Lord’s

It is essential that we deal effectively with our battles.  Monday we learned the first

principle that will help us do just that – We are to be humble.  Tuesday we will look at the second principle that will help us deal effectively with our battles. – Be dependent.  Wednesday we dealt with the third principle – Be Alert.  Yesterday we looked at the fourth principle and fifth principles that helps us deal effectively with our battles is that we: Be tenacious and Be prepared.

Today we will conclude our study by looking at the final principle found in the last of verse 10, which is:

 1. Be assured

The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:10b, “(May the God of all grace) … perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

Here we have the promise that as God accomplishes His purpose in us there are four things He will do.  Notice the adjective Peter uses to describe God. He is “the God of all grace,” the God who shows unmerited favor toward us.  God’s grace is the power and provision from God which allows us to turn to Christ, trust what He did on the cross and through the empty tomb, and allow Him to work out that salvation through our lives.

God loves us. His purpose in allowing persecution and suffering is motivated by nothing other than perfect love for us.  He is the God of all grace.  He will have mercy on us.  As we stand firm and resisting the devil, God will . . .

1. Perfect us – This word suggest the idea of “bringing us to wholeness, where we lack nothing, and are complete in every way.”
2. Confirm us – the word literally means “to make firm.” Rather than being uncertain and weak, we will be resolute and determined in our faith.
3. Strengthen us – He will use the difficulties to make us stronger. The word carries the idea of “enabling one us to face anything” He allows to come our way.
4. Establish us – the picture the Greek paints for us here is of a foundation that is not shaky but has settled and is firmly founded.

What are you going through this morning? Maybe life hasn’t turned out the way you planned. Perhaps the cares and burdens of life seem more than you can bear. Don’t fight it. Let God use these things to humble you and cause you to depend upon Him.

This is God Word … This is Grace for your Journey …

Rest and Rejoice in this eternal truth!

 Pastor Terry

Ephesians 4:7 – “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”