MUD VALLEY
1 Peter 4:12-19
1 Peter 4:12, 17: “Dear friends, do not
be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something
strange were happening to you. …For it is time for judgment to begin for the
family of God; and it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do
not obey the gospel of God?”
People
understand how quickly life can plummet from mountaintop joy to valley despair.
Peter wanted to remain on the
mountaintop after Jesus’ transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9.
“I
will put up three shelters!” Peter eagerly promised. Jesus, Moses and Elijah were deep in
discussion. Even the Father showed up in
verse five: “This is My Son, whom I
love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen
to Him!”
Jesus—being
fully human—understands the desire to linger in mountaintop moments. He needed encouragement from faith giants
before facing His trials ahead.
We
regretfully descend from our mountaintops.
Emotional highs prepare us for the valley, (Monday blahs). We’re refreshed, but not usually eager to
return to everyday life. Those memories recall
cherished events anytime we choose.
Our
heavenly Father doesn’t want His kids to get stuck in emotional highs. There remains much work for believers—our
purpose. There are issues ahead where
God measures our growth in Christlikeness.
It’s
believers’ job to show Jesus on the world stage. But God also pays attention. How we act among people—in school, at the
pool, in church, at work, playing baseball, at bars are all under His
microscope. God hears every joke we tell. He accompanies us everywhere we even hate to
admit going. It’s dusty and dirty where
we romp and roam.
Careless words carry much regret. Our tears of shame mingle with the dust of
life that fall into the valleys below.
These mud valleys can get people stuck.
Peter knows this well.
How
do unbelievers handle trials?
Take Home Nugget
One week before Jesus’ transformation,
Peter was in the dog house. After Jesus
explained to His disciples that He was going to suffer, die, then return back
to life on the third day, Peter blurted out, “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to You!”
“Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan!’”
Jesus must have known Peter’s hurt feelings, so He explained, “You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the
things of God, but the things of men!” (Matthew 16:21-23).
Jesus needed encouragement to face His
trials ahead.
Did Peter finally understood Jesus’
purpose—sacrificed to die as payment for human sin?
Peter shares good advice in the lesson
linked below.
God
doesn’t want His kids to get stuck anywhere, not in the mountaintops nor in mud
valleys below.
J.D. Griffith
Written
for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com
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