“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”
Why is it when we go through tough times, we immediately think God must be shirking His responsibilities. Is it not His job to bless us and give us a good life? Many preachers repeatedly leave us understanding that God's purpose is to make life easy for us. Yet, having God at the center of our lives may lead to difficult days.
I think of many Christians today who suffer hardship, beatings, and tortures at the hands of Communist governments, Muslim extremists, Hindu fundamentalists, as well as subtle ways of discrimination by secular and post-Christian societies. Even in America now we see church services and Christian gatherings disrupted for political reasons and agendas.
What people need to remember is that God began the work in you and He will see it through. He has a plan. Think of your salvation and what a great God we have.
I could have been born a Bushman in the heart of Africa. Why was I not born an Australian aborigine? How is it that I heard the gospel of Christ and that I was saved? I praise His name because He has shown mercy to me. It is not my doing; it is God's plan and purpose carried out.
Before the world began God chose us in Christ (Eph 1:4) All whom the Father gave to Christ come unto Him. (John 6:37)
To the unbelieving world the gospel is a proclamation to repent and exercise faith in Christ and it is for “whosoever will may come.” To the believer in Christ the truth is then made known that he was elected by sovereign grace according to God's foreknowledge. We are elected to obey which sometimes means we suffer at the hands of evil people who are threatened by the truth
We are saved to serve His purposes not our pleasures in this world. Many Christians still haven't caught that message.
It is exciting to realize that long before you were born God had you in His mind. He is not going to forget you now. He made you the way He wanted that you might obey Him and honor Him in your life, in the good times and in the bad times.
Application: God is not against man. He is for him. He knew all about Peter. He knows all about me and He knows all about you. He knows all about the people who were suffering for Christ’s sake. Peter reminds them they are special. Do not think for a moment that just because you are going through hard times you are forgotten. You are special. Peter knew.
Prayer: Lord, I rejoice that have chosen and redeemed me and that I can come to You with my life.
