I Peter 4 and Psalm 64
Posted August 3, 2006
In I Peter 4:12 it says, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: v.12
Deuteronomy 8:1-3 states, "All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers. v.1
And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. v.2
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live." v.3
These verses in Deuteronomy 8 tell us of God's dealings with Israel and his purpose.
In Romans 15:1-4 it says, "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.v.1
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. v.2
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. v.3
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." v.4
I Peter 4:13-19 continued.
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. v.13
If ye be reproached (upbraid or revile) for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. v.14
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. v.15
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. v.16
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? v.17
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? v.18
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator." v.19
Psalm 64:1-10 states, "Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. v.1
Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: v.2
Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: v.3
That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at them, and fear not. v.4
They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them? v.5
They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep. v.6
But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. v.7
So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away. v.8
During the past few years, there has been a specific trying of my faith whether God would deal with those that reproached me, through my heart using my faith mixed with the gospel. During this time, I have faithfully blessed these people and gave thanks for them. I have come to see that these people shall make their own tongues to fall upon themselves. I have entered into the rest of God, as pertaining to the dealings of my enemies, as stated in Hebrews 4:10-11,
"For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. v.10
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." v.11
Psalm 64 continued
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing. v.9
The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory." v.10
God bless you,
Doyle Davidson
