Last Tuesday, it was my turn to give a short devotion. I did so based on the words in 1 Peter 5:7-11 (NLT).
Verse 7 is a familiar one: Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Stay alert!
A lovely and encouraging text. Amen. Done, we might say, and we stop right there. But, of course, verse 7 is followed by verse 8. The fact that God loves us and cares for us doesn't mean that nothing bad can happen. Verse 8: Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
A clear call to be alert and on guard against the enemy's attacks. But even with that verse, it doesn't end there. It's so important to read on and grasp the cadence of Peter's compelling words, to receive them in your heart.
He Himself will restore you
Verse 10 really caught my attention:
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.
He Himself will restore you. In my Dutch translation, it says 'He will personally lift you up.' How awesome is that? God cares about you and me, about every person, no matter what we're going through. He will personally restore us and make us strong! I find that a very special thought and a comforting promise, and I am grateful for His helping hand. You too?
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(Isaiah 41:10)
➤Listen to this beautiful song by CityAlight.
I love your Dutch translation that says that God will personally lift us up, Marja, no matter what trouble, pain or heartache may come our way. I'm sure you know that Christians here in America are mourning the death of Charlie Kirk by an assassin's bullet, yet in his death, there is an outpouring of enthusiasm to follow Jesus and speak the truth as He has taught us. God has lifted up Charlie in a way that I believe will have positive impacts upon millions of people for Christ. Blessings, my friend, and lift prayers for Charlie's family and friend who are grieving.
ReplyDeleteWe followed it all yes, saw the whole memorial service. Oh, such worship! Yes, we believe it is already changing many people's lives! It was absolutely horrifying what happened, but the enemy will not win. Never!
DeleteMarja: Thank you for sharing this devotion with us. I am scheduled to give a lesson to our church women's group in early November. Unsure of what at I will do for it. Be blessed.
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe you can use this blog post as an inspiration to encourage those ladies Cecelia. I hope your eye surgery went well!
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