Daily Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:13-16 KJV
1 Peter 4:13 KJV
(13) But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Today’s Devotional Is THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT LONGSUFFERING
The marvel of His enemies was the LONG-SUFFERING silence that our Lord displayed.
“As a lamb led to slaughter, and as a sheep who is dumb before her shearers,” He did not open His mouth. He kept His peace before the high priests. Pilate did not get an answer. He did not respond to Pilate’s challenge or reproach, except for benediction and prayer. “When He was reviled, He didn’t respond with reviling. When He suffered, He made no threats and left His grievances in the hands the righteous Judge.
This has been His practice throughout the centuries. He was led to the slaughter as a lamb by drunken parents in every child who suffered under their oppression. Man can murder His servants, blaspheme His name and kill His children, but He never speaks a word! This is the purpose of one of the strange announcements that make the Book of Revelation so extraordinary. “After He had opened the seventh sealing, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” The heavens sing, but the multitude cannot be counted listens to the groans of their unaided brothers. Angels stop their anthems and appear intent on the tragedies to come (Rev_8.1). There does not seem to be any help.
Remember that silence does NOT mean indifference. Our Lord was silent in front of His judges. He was actually bearing the sins of the whole world. We find the prayers of saints being offered on the throne – intercessional prayers mixed with incense of Christ’s merit – when the silence is declared in Heaven.
This is the spirit in which we should suffer. As stoics, we are to hide our pain. While no suffering is rightly suffered is worthless, in some small way that you may not be able to understand, you are supporting Christ in His redemptive work. Be peaceful, quiet, and joyful! Pray for those who are unfairly using you and ask that their sufferings, rightly borne by you, might lead to their conversion.
PRAYER for Today
Heavenly Father, through Thine infinite mercy, grant me such assurance of Thy protection during the trials and tribulations of this mortal existence, that I may be kept in peace and quiet in my spirit. AMEN.