6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.

7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.

10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.

— 1 Peter 5:6-10

9 as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

10 But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

–1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace and peace from the Lord Savior to you.

Turmoil in the world and uncertainty about the future can make us anxious. Threats of war, terrorism, and the rising price of food and fuel seem relentless. The coming realities described in Revelation add to our angst. Concern for the spiritual condition of our loved ones is truly a heavy burden. We should not be surprised that the world is a broken, messy place. How can we prepare our own children and grandchildren for the future? The truth about God’s impending judgment awaiting this world and individuals is both comforting and alarming.

We long for God’s perfect justice and our eternal destiny, yet we cringe at the pain awaiting humanity. God indeed uses trouble to awake hearts to turn to Him. Let’s bring all our needs and fears to God, who controls everything and always accomplishes His good purposes. Let’s allow God’s truth and His words to motivate us to speak and live the power of the gospel before people around us. And when God says, “Wait a little longer,” He calls us to trust Him to accomplish His highest purposes, even if we cannot fully explain all He is doing. We do not need to fear. No suffering will rob us of life’s greatest treasure—deep fellowship in the Spirit with Jesus. God is faithful, and powerful. He holds the future in His mighty hands. Let’s trust Him with all that the future holds.