This is the fifth in a series of posts written by our very own Paul Burgess. See the first post and an introduction to the series here.
Suffering: Entrusting your soul
“And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” (1 Peter 4:18-19 NASB)
We are all suffering in some way: fear of death, loss of our source of comfort and security, diminished physical freedoms. For many, this is a call to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus. For the Saints, this is a time to be tried and refined in circumstances beyond our control. We can endure all things for our Lord when we believe we are living in His will for us.
To give some global perspective, there are saints who are suffering unto death from disease, famine and persecution. There are widows whose trial comes when food for her children requires conversion to another faith. Now that there have been weeks of no work, the poor in Pakistan are crying out to heaven for their daily bread. Remember Christ teaching us how to pray?
Is this lockdown for us more than an inconvenience, but something that requires us to adjust? Whatever our trial, may it be for the advancement of the gospel!
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God.” (2 Timothy 1:8 NASB)