A Faithful Creator

The Inescapable God
God Reveals
1 Peter 4:12-19 (The Message)

Glory Just Around the Corner

 ^12-13Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.  ^14-16If you're abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they're on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that's a different matter. But if it's because you're a Christian, don't give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!
 ^17-19It's judgment time for God's own family. We're first in line. If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like for those who refuse God's Message!

   If good people barely make it,
   What's in store for the bad?
So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.

For Reflection
NPR's All Things Considered, carried an interview with Ingrid Betancourt who in 2002 while campaigning for the presidency of Colombia, was captured by FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia. She was brought deep into the jungle, chained to a tree with eight other hostages, tortured, underfed and forced to march through the rain forest for six years.

At one point the interviewer, commenting on the loneliness and boredom, revealed that she had a couple of books, Harry Potter, and a dictionary.  Ms. Betancourt added. "and a Bible."  She read the bible from the first page to the last.  She said that it changed her relationship to God because she had to answer questions honestly, "...like do I believe that he [Jesus] was resurrected? ...is that possible?  She concluded that, "It [the story of God and the Christ event] could not not be true." You can hear the whole interview at: http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=130108179&m=130126389

Many, including perhaps in some instances Paul, had revelations during times of dire stress and captivity.  Viktor Frankl wrote, in 1946, Man's Search for Meaning after imprisonment in a German concentration camp. During that horrendous time Frankl came to realize that God shows us that the salvation of human kind is through love and in love.

Life can be difficult.  Have faith that God is on the job and that hope will carry you to glory.  This week try to find God in the midst of troubling times.

Pray for those who suffer in the service of God.  Praise God for His stead fast faithfulness to those who believe in Him. Wait on the Lord.