Do Not Be Surprised!

​“My gosh, I cannot believe this is happening.” Many people are feeling this way these days.
 
Are you surprised at negative things that are happening in our society and world?
 
Let’s list some negatives. Abortion. Homosexual perversion. Same sex marriage. Unemployment. Home invasions. Family slayings. Terrorist attacks. Unprecedented debt loads and deficits. Corporate and personal greed. Political corruption. Government intrusion and overreach.  Discrimination. Wealth redistribution. Moral scandals.
 
Worldwide pandemic. Catastrophic natural disasters. Disrespect for lawful authority. Cancel culture. Intolerance. Division. Disunity.  Hostility. Violence. Lack of self-control. Unconstitutional legislation aimed at curbing free speech and the right to bear arms.
 
 Anti-Christian attitudes. Scathing attacks on Christian values. Public maligning and mockery of all things innocent, pure, holy, and decent.  
 
I believe America has lost her spiritual bearing. Our moral compass is broken.
           
The people of the United States have blown huge holes in our moral cover. Evil runs rampant, unrestrained. Unrighteousness is not only tolerated but is becoming the order of the day. Clearly, most of our people have lost their way, hurtling blindly toward the hellish abyss of a Christ-less culture. A day of reckoning is coming.
           
Personally, I am appalled, angered and deeply saddened, but not surprised, by what is transpiring in my country. I am mourning that we have turned our backs on God.
I have to keep my faith focused and guard my personal peace daily.
 
The truth is Christians should not be surprised about what is happening. God’s Word says it will happen.
 
Peter, writing in a day when Christians suffered persecution from the hands of an evil, unbelieving, anti-Christian society wrote to God’s divinely loved ones “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.” I Peter 4:12
 
Fellow Christians, the “fiery trial” you are experiencing is “no strange thing” if you name the name of Christ. Matter of fact, the world’s opposition to your faith should be familiar to you by now. It is a daily occurrence if you are a believer who does not have his/her head buried in the sand.  
 
So, what were Christians to do? The exhortation is clear: “Do not be surprised” and “keep on rejoicing”.  Rejoice? Are you serious Peter? Do you have a loose screw or two brother? Has persecution’s heat melted your mind?
 
Not at all. Peter had a sound mind in Christ. He understood the times in which he lived. He knew trials would test our faith. Peter qualifies his statement in verse 12 with a further explanation in verses 13-16.
 
“But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name, let Him glorify God.”
 
Wow! Talk about big-picture perspective. Hey believer…. do not be surprised at what is happening. Rejoice instead. Why?
 
You are blessed, yes blessed, not cursed, when as a Christian you share in the sufferings of Christ. Do not be surprised when the world attacks you, your faith and your values. The world persecuted Christ, so they will persecute you who bear His name. Do not be ashamed of your relationship with Jesus Christ. Stand firm in your faith. Glorify God amid the societal shaking going on.
 
Peter is saying that when the time when all this anti-Christian persecution is fulfilled (and only God knows the exact time), Jesus will return for His holy bride the church. Jesus is coming back! He said He would. While we wait for Jesus to appear, the Lord expects His followers to not be surprised by the suffering and persecution that is setting the stage for His glorious return.   
 
What does this word mean for you and me? I believe it helps steady us when we read or hear the latest breaking news which I encourage you to turn out and turn off!  
 
I do not rejoice in what is happening. I do rejoice in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is running the real show.  
 
Things will proceed from bad to worse before the return of Christ. Please read Matthew 24, II Timothy 3:1-14 and Jude 10-25. If you think things cannot get any worse, think again! All of this is setting the stage for the glorious return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Do not be surprised. What we are experiencing is predictable.
 
Take heart fellow Christian. Rejoice. Do not be surprised by the fiery trial upon us. Stay prayed up. Confess the Word. Walk in God’s wisdom. Hold your head up high in Christ. Stand up boldly for Him. Persevere. Endure. Guard your peace. Share your faith. Encourage others to look to the Lord during these tumultuous and troublesome times.     
 
I would not be surprised if Jesus, in all His glory, accompanied by the heavenly host, splits the eastern sky soon and catches us away to heaven!
 
I am ready…. how about you and your loved ones?
 
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.
 
“Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God…For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”
                                                                                                            II Timothy 2:8, 12
 
“You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
                                                                                                                        James 3:8
 
A Word For Your Week: Do not be surprised by things that should not surprise you.