1 Peter 3:8-9

As children of God, we reside in this world but are not of this world; we are citizens of the kingdom of God. Therefore, we have the great responsibility of living in submission to the will of God. In so doing this will give us the godly prospective of life and how we interact with others. Prior to the key Scriptural passage, Apostle Peter addressed various groups, dealing with the relationship of Christians to others: foreigners and exiles (2:11-17), and servants and masters (2:18-25); also, he addressed Christian wives (3:1-6) and Christian husbands (3:7).

Then he commanded, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (v.8). When Peter said “finally,” this was in reference to the previous groups he discussed which dealt with the relationship of Christians to others. Here the apostle instructed believers to be unified in their thinking: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). It is only through Christ that we can humble ourselves to relate with others in harmony. As members of the household of God, believers are to have sympathy for one another, love each other as brothers, be kindhearted and respectful of each other.  

Peter continued with the command that believers “not render evil for evil, or insult for insult: but rather, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; knowing that you are called for this very purpose, that you should inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection]” (v.9). Believers’ humble submission to one another reflects God’s character in their daily interactions. 

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”  

Psalm 103:4-5

In vv. 1-2 David encouraged himself to praise God wholeheartedly and to not forget the benefits of all God’s goodness. That same admonishment is for us today. In v. 3 he began to give reasons to praise God, mentioning His benefits of forgiveness and healing. He continued with the admonition to praise God, “Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (v.4). Yes, we are selfish, sinful creatures, and “our lives are like a puff of smoke, which appears for a moment and then disappears” (James 4:14c GNT). Yet, because He is our creator and redeemer, His love for us endures forever. He delivers us from troubles of this old world and from eternal destruction. He is compassionate and cares for His creation; therefore, He crowns us with His benefits of lovingkindness and tender mercies.

The psalmist continued to declare His reasons to not forget to praise God, “Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (v.5). As children of God, He “satisfies your mouth” with His truth; His word is truth (Jn.17:17b). “Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction” (Prov.18:20). The Lord promises that He will not withhold any good thing from those who do what is right (Ps. 84:11). God blesses you with all the good things you desire “So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Don’t forget the benefits of all God’s goodness.

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

Psalm 103:1-3

God is our Creator and worthy to be praised for all His benefits with which He has blessed us. David began his writing by encouraging himself: “Bless the Lord, O my soul” (v.1a). David didn’t merely bless the Lord as if it was lip service, but He said, “And all that is within me, bless His holy name” (v.1b)! We are commanded to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our might (Deut. 6:5 ESV). Like David our praise for the Lord ought to be from the depth of our heart. The psalmist repeated: “Bless the Lord, O my soul,” (v.2a) stressing his belief in giving God wholehearted praise: “And forget not all His benefits (v.2b). Who is it that loves the Lord will forget to praise Him for all He has done?

The psalmist stated that the Lord forgives all your iniquities and 
heals all your diseases (v.3). Forgiveness and healing go together; they offer us the promises of spiritual and physical wellness. When we desire to be saved through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God forgives us in order to bring us back in right relationship with Him. Also, forgiveness helps bring healing to broken relationships with our fellow man. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32 ESV). Because our physical bodies house the Holy Spirit from God, we are to take care of it and treat it with the utmost respect. 

Today, let your living reflect the benefits of God’s forgiveness and healing. 

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

Matthew 8:27

After Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and sea, the storm’s fury ceased immediately. The Amplified Bible says: “…there was [at once] a great and wonderful calm [a perfect peacefulness]” (v.26b). Some decades ago, a popular slogan on television said “When E.F. Hutton speaks, everyone listens.” The slogan was powerful, effective, and served its purpose, but it was no comparison to the power of Jesus. “God, who made the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth …” (Acts 17:24 GNT). Jesus’ rebuke: “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39) calmed the dangerous storm. 

The disciples cried out for Jesus to save them because if the storm was left unchecked, their fear was: “We’re going to drown” (v. 25)! Since we live in a fallen world, until Jesus comes back, storms will arise, causing hostility and sometimes life-threatening situations. Like Jesus’ disciples, we may be fearful and have little faith. However, if we listen to and trust and obey the Lord, He will bring that perfect peace that only comes from Him. 

But the men marveled, saying, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him” (v.27)! The disciples were in awe of Jesus’ authority over nature. In Matthew 1:21-23 the angel prophesied that virgin Mary will conceive a child of the Holy Ghost. She will have a son, and Joseph was to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. This identifies what manner of man the disciples marveled about; He is the Son of God.

Lift your voice and give God glory!

Matthew 8:26

Because of man’s disobedience, we live in a fallen world and have to contend with storms – life and nature. Storms do arise, creating disruption and unpleasant chaos. James said that when we face troubles of any kind, we should consider it all joy. Believers will be tested so they can build up endurance and grow in their faith and spiritual maturity. 

On the Sea of Galilee, a great storm arose and disrupted the calm of Jesus’ disciples. Jesus was sleeping peacefully; His disciples were anxious from fear of the storm. They woke Him up, urging Him to save them from dying. Their cry to be saved indicated their need to be rescued right then from the storm of nature and the spiritual need for soul salvation. Jesus responded to His disciples’ cry to be saved with a profound question: “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” (v.26). 

Now these disciples had witnessed Jesus performing miracles of healing and casting out demons. They must have believed that Jesus could save them though they were fearful and exercised little faith. It is important for believers to know who Jesus is and trust Him in all situations. Jesus continued addressing His disciples’ fear and little faith by exercising His authority over nature: “Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” Jesus’ authority over nature illustrates that it is for certain if we trust Him, He will bring us comfort and peace in the midst of life’s storms. 

Lift your voice and give God glory!