Peter’s words from the close of his first letter are perfectly suited to where we find ourselves:
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10,11)
He is so conscious that those he writes to are “suffering grief in all sorts of trials” (1:6). It’s clear that he feels deeply for them and is doing all he can to help them by what he writes. They stand in great need of all that the Lord can supply to simply keep putting one foot in front of the other. Life is more than tough for them. Each day is a challenge.
Which makes his closing statement so full of the encouragement they need. The one in whose hands their lives are held is “the God of all grace”. There are no limitations with him. His is not help that is limited to those who will help themselves. This is free favour, a divine gift, not conditioned by merit or distinction. All grace - sufficient for our every need, even in the teeth of a pandemic and the ongoing struggle to live wisely and faithfully in a flaccid world.
The presence of God to sustain through present trials is underscored by Peter’s undimmed hope that after “a little while” the Lord will himself restore them, making them to be strong, firm and steadfast. There is an end to their struggles. They won’t be perpetual. They can have a hope for the future that sees them as living vibrant lives of sustained discipleship.
However, that end-point isn’t necessarily just around the corner in their earthly existence. It may well be, of course, and who wouldn’t want for that to be so? But it’s also possible that Peter’s words are intended to turn their eyes to the larger future, the longer days of unbroken fellowship with the Lord in glory.
Peter’s “little while” is then parallel with Paul’s “momentary troubles” (2 Cor. 4:17). Neither apostle is in denial about the struggles and pains of this life but, rather, they see them in truer and fuller perspective, in the light that breaks even now from heaven’s shore.
The consolation ends with Peter acclaiming, “To him be the power”. Peter is acutely aware that he is writing to those who are socially and economically powerless, at the mercy of political forces beyond their reach. And so he reminds them that it is, in truth, God, the God of all grace - their God - who genuinely has power. Power to act for their good and power to make good on all his promises.
We can trust our every day and our ultimate destiny to him.
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When I survey life's varied scene
Amid the darkest hours,
Sweet rays of comfort shine between,
And thorns are mixed with flowers.
Lord, teach me to adore the hand
Whence all my comforts flow,
And let me in this desert land
A glimpse of Canaan know.
And O, whate'er of earthly bliss
Thy sovereign will denies,
Accepted at Thy throne of grace
Let this petition rise:
Give me a calm, a thankful heart,
From every murmur free;
The blessings of Thy grace impart,
And let me live to Thee.
Let the sweet hope that Thou art mine
My path of life attend,
Thy presence through my journey shine,
And crown my journey's end.
(Anne Steele, 1717-78)
