There’s a Scripture I really love that I want to share with you. 1 Peter 5:10 begins with “The God of all grace.”
What does that mean? It means there is a grace for every season and struggle of your life. The God of all grace. There’s a grace to be a parent. There’s a grace to be a teenager. There’s a grace to be married. There’s a grace to be single. There is a grace to have a job. There’s a grace to need a job. He is The God of ALL grace, Amen.
Christians have been promised an end to suffering. Suffering in this life will happen, but it will end, for those who have faith in Christ. Not only that, believers will be “restored” from all the harm done to us. This verse captures much of Peter’s letter in one powerful sentence. Peter repeats that suffering is real, especially for those who are persecuted for trusting in Christ. But all Christians suffer in various ways. We cannot expect our salvation to eliminate pain and heartache on this side of eternity. Rather, eternal salvation means that suffering will one day come to an end, and end forever.
Our God is the God of all grace, which is unearned favor. By His grace, He has saved us from the price of our sin, which is eternal death, separated from God in hell. This is possible only through faith in Jesus Christ. By His grace, God has called us to share in His glory in Christ forever. That is the destiny of every believer.
What will that eternity be like? Peter mentions four things. God will restore or perfect us. He will make us strong, firm, and established. We may feel weak now. We can sense ourselves being worn out and diminished, watch as all our opportunities and prospects in this life shrink away. But once our God calls us home, God will restore every lost thing of value, and much more. He will make us strong and secure forever.
That’s His promise. That’s what’s coming, for those who put their faith in Him.
1 Peter 5:1–11 gives specific instructions to elders about how to lead the flock of God willingly, eagerly, and by their own example. All of us must live in humility toward each other and toward God, who opposes the proud. In humility, we cast our anxieties on the Father who cares for us. In alertness, we are to remain clear-minded, looking out for our enemy the devil who seeks to destroy us. We resist him by focusing on staying firm in our faith and trusting God to keep His promises.