-November 29, 2024-
Good morning beloved, happy Friday,
We are all very familiar with the expression, “There was an after effect.” It is defined as, “an effect that follows after the primary action of something.” We often think of negative consequences after a main event such as an earthquake, fire, flood, tornado, hurricane, tsunami, cyclone, certain drugs, foods, or even strenuous exercise.
Many of us ate too much yesterday, and may feel some aftereffects today. But for the believer in Christ there are good aftereffects when it comes to God’s grace. When we are saved, we are saved by God’s grace. As we grow we experience His grace through our trials, and sufferings; His grace gives us the strength to handle whatever comes our way.
Peter, the disciple and apostle of Jesus learned from his sins, failures, and mistakes. He was the outspoken leader, but his tongue often got him into trouble. On one hand he confessed that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” But later denied Jesus three times. We are like Peter in so many ways, God’s grace is always there for us when we need it the most.
Peter lists four good aftereffects of the grace of God who has called us to eternal glory. His prayer is that God would perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle the saints through their trials and sufferings. They experienced severe persecution and many were put to death for their faith in Christ.
We also need to be perfected (meaning to be completed or made mature); established (grounded in the Word); strengthened (from on high); and settled (calmed by His peace). We can face anything or anyone by the grace of God.
May the Lord perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you today. Have a blessed day by the grace of God. Stay safe and healthy.
We can either be bitter or better as a result of what we go through; let’s choose the latter.
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 