“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” - 1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)
Since we know our suffering for righteousness is a part of our lives as believers, we also know that it is not forever. We may not be able to see beyond today’s pain or fears, and our trials, but God promises to provide the grace we need so that we can endure. What will tomorrow bring? We don’t know. Will we be there for that affliction as well? Jesus said, “The one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Mark 13:13) Suffering threatens our faith in God’s provision of future grace. It is not a light matter; it is very serious that in our suffering we do not “shrink back” (Hebrews 10:39). For, that is the path to destruction. But God promises our suffering is only for a little while and as we in faith endure through His grace, we learn to believe and claim God’s promises. God Himself will restore us and confirm us righteous. He will strengthen us and establish us as His own. How do we know this for sure? Because God has called us to His eternal glory in Christ and that calling will prove true – it will happen.
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