Grace & Glory Devotions Week 3 (with Scripture)

Monday, November 24,2025 read 1 Peter 5:6-7. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.’

The letter of 1 Peter was written to believers enduring significant persecution. In the face of suffering, Peter reminds them (and us) that all "dominion forever and ever" belongs to God. This means God is in complete control of every event in our lives, including the difficult ones. Our responsibility is to humble ourselves under His "mighty hand" and "cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you". True humility isn't weakness; it's recognizing His ultimate authority and capacity to handle our burdens
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Tuesday, November 25, 2025 read Hebrews 12:1-2. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  

The author of Hebrews uses the imagery of running a race to describe the Christian life, surrounded by a "great cloud of witnesses". We are instructed to run with perseverance, but a key component is our focus. We must be "fixing our eyes on Jesus." Distractions, whether they are worldly pursuits, comparisons with others' journeys, or our own "pet sins," can easily "derail us in our faith". Keeping our eyes on Jesus, our "greatest example," helps us to stay in our lane and run the unique course He has marked out for us.

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 read Romans 5:3-5 “ Not only so, but we[a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Jesus "endured the cross, scorning its shame" for the "joy set before him". He looked past the immediate pain and focused on the ultimate result: our salvation and His rightful place at the right hand of God. This provides a model for our own suffering. The difficulties we face are "light and momentary afflictions" when viewed in light of eternity. Suffering can produce perseverance, character, and hope, but only if we don't become bitter or lose our focus on the eternal goal.

Thursday, November 27, 2025 read 1 Peter 5:11 “To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
 
The phrase "To him be the power forever and ever" provides a secure anchor for our souls during life's "sudden, violent storms".
 Our hope in Christ is not a wishful optimism but a "confident certainty" rooted in His resurrection and return. This hope acts as an "anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil" (Hebrews 6:19). When circumstances feel chaotic and uncertain, we can trust in the unchanging power of God to keep us secure.

Friday, November 28, 2025 read 1 Peter 5:10 “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.

Peter offers a powerful promise: "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you". This is God's work, not ours. Our suffering has a purpose, and it will end. God uses these trials to make us like a rock, strengthening our faith and laying a firm foundation we can trust. The ultimate dominion belongs to Him, and He will complete the good work He started in us (Philippians 1:6).