JUN 27

1 Peter 3:14-17
Memorise 1 Peter 3:17
“...that ye suffer for well doing...”

Yesterday, we learned that God’s will may include chastisement (discipline) to help us to turn back into the path of righteousness. Nobody enjoys chastisement when it happens. Today, we learn about another form of suffering – suffering not due to God’s chastisement, but suffering “for righteousness’ sake”. 1 Peter 3:14 says, “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye”. And then he further encourages us in 1 Peter 3:17, “For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing”.

So, it can be the will of God for us to suffer even when (and often because) we are doing His will! The best example of this is from the life of our Lord Jesus. He “did no sin” (1 Peter 2:22). In fact He came to save us from our sins! And yet, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). His Apostles also suffered for their faith (all the Apostles were martyred except for John).

We also know of numerous “heroes of the faith” who have suffered for His sake! Did it happen because God forsook them? No! In fact the disciples rejoiced “that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41).

Dear teen, what about you? Have you ever suffered for His sake? Some of you may have parents who are unbelievers, and they may persecute you because of your faith. Some of you may try to witness to your friends and loved ones, and suffer rejection, mocking, and may even be ostracized because of that. Understand that these all happen in the will of God. He is always in control, and He has a good reason for putting you through these trials. As you experience these sufferings and difficulties in life, you must continue to trust in the Lord, for He calls us to “be not afraid of their terror, neither by troubled”. We must continue to persevere in the Lord and maintain a good testimony for Him, for in so doing, we may even lead someone to Christ!

Thought: When we suffer, if we are sure it is because of our faithful stand for our Lord, let us rejoice, that we are worthy to suffer for His sake.
Prayer: Lord, help me to stand firm in defence of the faith, and not be afraid of suffering.