July 25
The God
of All Grace
1 Peter 5:10-11
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
Daily Steps
This passage provides the final, sweeping assurance for the new believer who has passed through the pain of trials and discipline. It summarizes the entirety of God's work from suffering to glory, securing ultimate, final peace: The God of all grace... will himself restore you.
The peace in this assurance is found in God's perfect, completed work:
God's Identity: He is "the God of all grace." This confirms that every good thing in the Christian life, including the strength to endure, the purpose of suffering, and the promise of glory, is completely rooted in His undeserved favor (grace, Day 203).
The Context of Suffering: The suffering is placed into its proper eternal context: it is only "a little while." This reiterates the light and momentary nature of the pain (Day 204) compared to the eternal reward (glory).
The Guaranteed Restoration: The ultimate promise is that God "will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." God is not only the beginning of your faith; He is the finisher. He personally guarantees to heal the wounds of suffering and establish the permanent character (Day 194) that trials were meant to produce. This certainty guarantees final peace.
The Final Response: The only fitting response to such power and promise is doxology: To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
Your final peace is secured by God's all-encompassing grace. Rest in the promise that after your temporary suffering, The God of all grace will himself restore you to permanent strength and glory.
Reflective Question
If you look back at all of Month 11 (Days 192-207), which of the four guaranteed steps of restoration (restore you, make you strong, firm, or steadfast) do you most need God to perform in your life right now? How can you express your thanks to The God of all grace for that promise?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise You as The God of all grace. I thank You that my suffering is only for a little while and that You have called me to Your eternal glory in Christ.
I pray for the faith to rest in Your final promise: that You will himself restore me and make me strong, firm and steadfast. Secure my final peace in Your great power and everlasting grace. Amen.
