"Glorious Suffering" December 2 Readings: Hosea 11-12, 1 Peter 4–5, Psalm 136:1–7, Proverbs 29:17–18

  

Reading the Bible in 2025

Each day this year, we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and a part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. 

NOTE: If you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!

Bible Readings: Hosea 11-12, 1 Peter 4–5, Psalm 136:1–7, Proverbs 29:17–18

    Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version 

Daily Devotional: Glorious Suffering

Peter wrote to people who knew what it was to suffer for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I feel like I'm suffering when someone talks bad about me. I live in a nice house, and drive a nice SUV, but living so far from some of my grandkids - that seems like real suffering to me! But these people had suffered. Real suffering. Harsh. Pain. Even at times, death.  And Peter desired to encourage and strengthen them.

In 1 Peter 5:10, he said,

Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.

This is similar to what Paul said when he described his sufferings in 2 Corinthians 4 as "light and momentary." In Romans 8, he said they were not worth comparing to the glory that would be revealed in us. There is a root principle these biblical authors were trying to get through to us here - two of them in fact.

First, we are comforted knowing that whatever suffering we endure in the name of Christ is, as Paul said, "light and momentary" and that compared to the glory we will experience in eternity, it is nothing. That is not to diminish our sufferings but to magnify the glories of heaven. That is how great it will be in glory - even the worst of our sufferings will seem insignificant in the presence of Christ. It will be worth it all.

We do not have to wait for glory to be comforted. Jesus Christ will restore, establish, strengthen, and support us day by day as well. As we struggle through this world, we have the promise of the constant presence of Christ in all that we do. Jesus is more than a ticket to heaven; he is our daily hope and sustainer. When times are hard, he will be there to carry you, to pick you up, and to strengthen you for the work he has set before you.

No matter what comes in this life, I have unspeakable glory awaiting, and unlimited sustenance and grace for my life every day.

Father, thank you for your Son who not only secured my future but sustains my presence.

Consider God's Word:

Which of these four passages spoke most clearly to you today? 

Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages? 

Is there something in your life that needs to change?

Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to? 

Thank God today that not only was your future guaranteed in Christ, but your present is empowered in him, in spite of what this world or the enemy can do to you.