1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Covid-19 pandemic was an event which every person in the United States would become aware of in March of 2020. My wife Alice and I had just boarded a ship as we were headed for the Caribbean on our way to visit a number of countries I had ministered in before many times. Returning to Cuba was a main goal. As we left the continental U.S. we were informed that none of those countries would allow us in as President Donald Trump and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert, went on TV to alert the nation.
It soon became apparent that they were not in agreement about the impact that covid would have. It was bad and only becoming worse. My immediate reaction was to contact people and quote what is today’s bible verse—don’t be surprised…adding a great truth; God is in control!
When the people of God desire to hear just pleasant words rather than true words, wanting to have their ears tickled just as the apostle Paul writes will be the case in the perilous last days {2Tim.4:2} they will certainly not want to hear about 'fiery ordeals'. Ordeals, trials and tribulations common enough that they will not even be a surprise to us. We have been told that many, not some or even a few, are the afflictions of the righteous. We have also been told that the Lord will deliver us from them all. {Ps.34:19}
It was a very fiery ordeal that Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego underwent when they refused to bow down and worship Nebuchadnezzar's idolatrous statue, but it did not take them by surprise. They had been well informed of the consequence of refusing his order. However, they were also well informed of God's command not to worship idols. So they refused that king and obeyed the King of Kings who chose to enter the fire with them rather than keeping them from it. They were tested and it worked out well for them and brought glory to God—not so much for old Nebuchadnezzar and his minions! {Dan.3}
Jesus said blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {Mat.5:10} And He went on to say that we will be hated by all on account of His name because of His love for us and our love for Him. {Mat.10:22} Oh, the wonderful promises of God! In his account of what the perilous last days before the return of King Jesus would be like, Paul prophesied that all, not a few, not even many, but ALL, everyone who desires to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted! {2Tim.3:12}
Ask any faithful child of God who has suffered for the sake of Christ and they will likely tell you that it was in that trial or ordeal that they most clearly saw the love and the glory of God. Just like Stephen as he was being stoned to death (life, actually):
“But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, 'Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'” (Acts 7:55-56)
REJOICE ALWAYS, IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS |
