1 Peter 1:6 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials 7 so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
When Peter was writing this letter to the churches in the northern part of Asia Minor, he was in Rome and may have been facing his death. Peter probably wrote this in 63 AD at a time when the Roman Government under Nero began actively persecuting Christians.
Peter was writing to people who were suffering, both economically and socially. Ray Van der Laan points out in one of his teaching videos that those who refused to make the routine ritual sacrifices to the city gods would be barred from trading in the markets of those cities. In addition, Christians celebrated one day of the week as the Sabbath and had other practices that set them apart from their pagan neighbors. No, it was not easy to be a Christian….and yet, the church continued to grow. Even when Nero became particularly cruel and used Christians as human torches in his gardens, Christianity continued to attract new believers.
What was the attraction? Why would anyone deliberately change their beliefs in the face of such persecution? The answer lies in Peter’s counsels stated above. Christians LOVED! and they LOVED IN THE FACE OF PERSECUTION! Christians were JOYFUL, despite all this suffering. Most of the pagan believers celebrated certain festivals, but between celebrations, things were pretty grim. But here were these Christians worshiping and rejoicing and praising God. Being around these people was like receiving a drink of cool water on a hot day! In fact, these people were enjoying their lives, even through all the difficulties they were facing. And this joy was both entrancing and captivating.
Today many of us are enduring lock downs due to COVID – 19. But the question is this: are we rejoicing in the opportunities God is opening up for us, or are we merely whining? If we listen to Peter, we will rejoice even during suffering.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you! Thank you for the opportunities to slow down and to be quiet before you. Thank you for the new opportunities you are opening up. Thank you that we can come out of this lock down closer to you than ever before. We bless your Name now and forever! Amen.
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