More pastoral, practical wisdom from Ray Ortlund, Jr.:
“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. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:10-11
And after you have suffered a little while. Your suffering is real. “A little while” does not trivialize it. But suffering is not the rest of your story. It will end, and soon – as measured by the real grandeur of your life, as grand as “eternal glory in Christ.”
the God of all grace. He has remedies, comforts and powers for every need, every occasion, every moment. “All grace” cannot be exhausted and need not be deserved.
who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ. As C. S. Lewis said, someday you will get in. God has so removed every barrier that nothing exists now to forbid your immediate entrance.
will himself. Not mediated, not through angels, not through other people, but God himself directly and personally. Not bare luck but his own loving involvement.
restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. Terms upon terms, because God has thought of everything. Whatever you have lost he will restore. However you are weak he will confirm, strengthen and establish you, so that you emerge whole, formidable, happy forever.
To him be the dominion forever and ever. No one, however malicious or just stupid, can overrule his purpose of grace for you in Christ, but only serve his purpose.
Amen. Very few things in life deserve absolute affirmation. But here is one.
-- Ray Ortlund, Jr.
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