A final word from Peter

Words from Peter the apostle

In my meditations I come to 1Peter 4:17  “what a terrible fate awaits those who have never  believed God’s Good News.”

History is full of evidence of God’s providential judgements. For example Herod the king set himself up as one to be worshiped and did not give God the glory, so God sent an angel to smite him. The Israelites persisted in idolatry, so God organised for them to be deported to Babylon to learn to put God first.

Again and again the Bible ( our reliable compass)  warns of justice being done by God. Evidently justice is not always done in a lifetime for God operates in eternity. For those who in their lifetime have rejected God and His Good News, He has reserved for them darkness, desolation, torment and memory. His judgements are and will be just by His standards, not by distorted human standards.

In contrast to the judgements upon the unbelieving, Peter concludes this chapter with  beautiful encouragements –

“So if you are suffering according to God’s will, keep on doing what is right and trust yourself to the god who made you, for He will never fail you.” 1 Peter 4.19NLT

Peter had previously encouraged the people to ‘fear God’ (1Peter1), then explained ‘God at work (1Peter 1,2,3) and now he says ‘trust Him’. The God who is so great as create a universe, is so interested in small detail that He wants to live within our hearts. So Peter encourages all believers to humble themselves under the mighty power of God, to give all their worries and cares to God – for He cares for you.

God has called the believer to the privileges  of being called by His wonderful name, called to share in His never ending glory and honour, called to His eternal glory by Jesus Christ.

How good is God!

Just in case someone missed the point of Peter’s letter, He concludes with his intended purpose:-

“ My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that the grace of God is with you no matter what happens”  1Peter 5:12

Let me encourage you to read and reread this short letter from Peter the apostle. You will be blessed.