Magdy Samuel

Serialized Articles From:
"Peace amid Pain"

Last Published Devotions

Words from the first epistle of Peter
3 – Grace

The word “Grace” is repeated many times in this epistle; in the Greek origin it was mentioned 10 times while in the English and Arabic translation, it is mentioned 8 times. Peter starts the epistle saying: “Grace to you and peace be multiplied" (1 Peter 1:2); then he repeats the word many times till he reaches the last chapter where he ends the epistle by mentioning “Grace” also saying: “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 … By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand”(1 Peter 5:10, 12).

 This is the grace which the apostle Paul has spoken about saying: “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me”; and God’s answer to him was “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” I.e. I will not remove your pain but I will grant you something that will not remove the pain or alleviate it, but it will turn it to glories; for that Apostle Paul wrote “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12: 8 - 10).  Grace is the Divine material which when poured on our pain it turns it to glory.

Our sufferings will never turn to comforts, joys and glories unless we enjoy and taste the Grace. We do not hear about grace; or know about it; but we have to accept it and take it.

Where the Grace comes from? From the throne of grace, for the Bible says: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).

Therefore dear reader, drip in your cup of pain some drops of grace, and your sufferings will turn to glories, and then you can say with Apostle Paul “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”( 2 Corinthians 12:9).

4- Obedience and Submission

These words came in every chapter and in most parts of the epistle. It is an epistle that talks about submission in various fields, among wives and husbands at home, within the society at work, and to the elders at churches. However, the most important type of obedience is in verse 14 of the first chapter; where Peter recommends “As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance” Therefore some of God’s men names this epistle, as the “Obedient children” epistle.

Our submission is the effective treatment for our pain.  As the greatest Christian remedy for the troubles and difficulties in life is to surrender with submission to the One who judges with justice, for its He who promised: “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time”(1 Peter 5:6)

The Bible says about our Lord Jesus Christ : “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame”( Hebrews 12:2) and He said also: “Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” (John 18:11).  Our Lord had submitted and obeyed; not only that but He also endured pains on the cross and accepted the cup of bitterness gladly for our sake. Shall we not accept the pain that is offered to us by His pierced and compassionate hands; the pain that inevitably finally will turn to goodness?!

   Magdy Samuel