Settled in Our Hearts

"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. ¹¹ To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

1 Peter 5:10-11

As Peter wrapped up his letter, he warned how the devil prowls about seeking whom he may devour.  He told believers they all would experience afflictions and seasons of suffering, both of a spiritual and physical nature.  Jesus told His disciples they would hear of wars and commotions but not to be terrified, even when these proved to be more than rumours but the real thing.  There would be conflicts between nations, earthquakes, famine and pestilence.  Despite all these things, Peter said the God of all grace would be faithful to perfect, establish, strengthen and settle all who trust in Jesus.  When the lives of Christians are marked by fears, worries and anxiety, it is evidence we have stopped short of entering into the rest He has provided us to experience today.  God or our circumstances are not to be blamed for the cares we carry, but we must take responsbility for every one of them and cast them upon Jesus who cares for us.

When we hear what we deem to be bad or unwelcome news, we are naturally troubled--not settled.  We can be disturbed about the suffering others are experiencing or potential suffering we might someday face.  But God, the LORD who is a Saviour and has dominion forever, He has called us and is faithful to do all He has promised.  Christians are not at rest because they are ignorant of what people suffer in this world or never experience traumatic suffering themselves:  established by faith on our Rock of Salvation we are able to endure violent waves that would render others a ruin.  We can remain strong and steadfast in the LORD and in the power of His might because we trust Jesus and obey Him.

It is good for us to be reminded of our good standing and God's promises especially before and during times of trouble.  Jesus told His disciples what would happen in the future not so they would fret or worry, but so they would realise He was in control.  None of the persecution of the church was beyond the reach of God to redeem for His good purposes; not one satanic assault caught God off guard.  Jesus said in Luke 21:12-15, "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. ¹³ But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. ¹⁴ Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; ¹⁵ for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist."  Because God would perfect, establish, strengthen and settle His people, they could be settled in their hearts by faith God would make them His witnesses in pressure situations.

Here is an interesting thing:  Jesus told His disciples they would be hauled before councils.  One might assume He did this so they could prepare statements concerning the divinity of Jesus Christ, His worthiness to be praised and their loyalty to Him--almost like preparing for a test or a job interview.  But Jesus told them this, not so they would prepare a speech, but to settle their hearts to trust Jesus to help them speak on the day.  The preparation required was to settle their minds and hearts, that it would be as if it was already done.  We say "That's settled!" when a decision has been made and there is no more to do, and this is fitting in the case of the disciples because Jesus Himself would be faithful to do the work.  How encouraging it is that God will settle us, and we can be settled in our hearts, confident in in His word and wisdom.