1 Peter 2:18-25; Psalm 1

1 Peter 2:18-25
Many of the Christians to whom Peter is writing were slaves. This is hard for us to even imagine, but Peter tells them to "accept the authority of your masters with all respect." They were to obey whether the master was kind and reasonable or harsh and cruel. This pleases God. Further, "if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you." vv.18-20 "Submission" is not a popular word. As Americans we are rather proud of our independent spirit, and we don't like to be told what to do. This attitude can be in direct opposition to what the Bible teaches. If we choose to take a job, we should be the best employee possible. If we drive a car, we should carefully obey the laws. We're required to pay taxes, so we should be honest in every way.

We may suffer for various reasons. Sometimes we suffer because of our own sin and bad choices. Sometimes it is the result of the sins of others. Peter is talking here about suffering for doing good and right. Jesus is our example in this.
"He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.
He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly,
He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.
By his wounds you are healed.
Once you were like sheep who wandered away
But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls." vv. 22-25

When suffering comes our way, we should face it as Jesus did, with patience and faith that God is in control of what happens to us. As you know, this is NOT easy. Our first reaction when we feel we're being treated unfairly to become defensive and perhaps retaliatory. We are to do as Jesus did and leave our "case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly."

Psalm 1
I like to read some in the psalms every day. I hope this won't be too repetitious. I don't look at my old notes so maybe the Lord will show us something slightly different each time through.

Psalm 1 gives us advice on whom we should listen to for advice! We are not to follow the advice of the wicked or hang around with sinners and mockers. I'm afraid there are many today who fall into the category of mockers of God! We should not be influenced by them or join in with them. But our delight is to be in God's Word on which we meditate day and night. This will make us strong and stable like a tree planted along the riverbank. We will be prosperous (not necessarily in material things) and the Lord will watch over our paths.

Thought for meditation: Delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.