S3P2 – Confirmed by God

1 Pet 5:10

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to be].

στηριξει

This word is akin to another Greek word, stérizó, which means to make stable or place firmly, to set.  Standing firm and unwavering is not only common biblical imagery but also a regular biblical command.  Consider that for a moment.  We are commanded to do what this verse tells us God himself develops in us.  He is not asking us to do anything more than exercise the ability he gives us.  The key is to surrender and allow the trial to produce steadfastness.

In the verse above, this word is translated as to confirm.  In Luke 9:51 in the NIV, it is used to describe the manner in which Jesus set out for Jerusalem to fulfill his purpose; he resolutely set out.  When we think of the focused intent of our savior to do just that, to save us, it adds another layer to this.  The firmness and steadfastness with which Jesus walked out the Father’s plan for our salvation is available to us as we are sanctified.  We must not simply desire to stand for God in such a manner; we must sincerely believe that we can.

God’s call to us is not one of compromise and indifference.  Our faith is not merely what happens to be true for us.  It is the definitive and objective truth.  We do not confess that Jesus Christ is one way to peace and happiness.  We confess that He is the only way, and that without Him only destruction remains.  God is calling us to have the courage of our convictions to exercise our faith in words and actions without apprehension and without apology.  Let us be resolutely set on seeking God and advancing His kingdom, just as Jesus was resolutely set on bringing about our redemption.