Daily Devotions

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the Name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. … Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. … Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith … 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. (1 Peter 4:12-16, 19; 5:6-9a, 10)

It sometimes happens that we suffer for Jesus’ sake. I’m not talking about persecution in the classical sense—where people suffer jail or torture or even death for Jesus’ sake. No, given the cultures in which most of us live, I’m talking about more subtle situations—cases where suffering comes to us that we could easily get out of, if only we were willing to do things Jesus doesn’t want us to do—to compromise our obedience to Him. Cases where someone is taking out their anger against the Lord by targeting us, though we’ve done nothing to arouse that anger and have tried to make peace. Cases where faithfulness to the Lord requires us to stay in a particular situation, even though we could easily escape.

If we think this is what is happening to us, Peter gives us instructions. He says, first of all, to check ourselves—are we really suffering because of Christ, or is it for some other reason?—for example, because we’ve overstepped our authority at work, or because we’ve been meddling in matters that are not our business. If that’s the true reason, then we need to repent. But if not, then he tells us to rejoice, because it’s an honor to share in Jesus’ sufferings. And we should not be surprised, because this sort of thing does happen, again and again, even in Christian-influenced countries.

When this happens to us, we put our faith in the same Lord who saved us at the cost of His own life—Jesus, who rose from the dead and defeated the power of sin, death, and the devil. He will never let us be destroyed, though we may suffer greatly. Jesus Himself has walked the road to Calvary, and when it’s our turn to suffer as His followers, He will be with us, every step. And He will raise us up again in His own good time.

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, have mercy on those who suffer for Your sake, and keep them strong in You. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. If you are suffering, from whom can you find help?
2. What should your attitude be to those around you, including your enemies?
3. Are there other experienced Christians who could offer you support and prayer?

Today's Readings:

Psalms 32
Psalms 51
John 3:16-36

Archive

All | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 |

Large Print