Focal passage: 1 Peter 5:5b-11
Along with preaching for our online Sunday worship during self-quarantine, my husband would log in to Facebook Live from our home office around 10 a.m. to lead a quick weekday devotion, usually with our infant daughter Liv playfully joining as co-host.
The door to our office doesn’t always shut completely, and our Golden Retriever, Cooper, has figured out how to exploit this architectural weakness. You would also see Liv, who is obsessed with Cooper, literally squeal and squirm just at the sight of our four-legged goofball. As fun as it was to watch each weekday morning, I know how difficult the last few months have been for Will, preaching to empty pews, and for our pastor of youth and families, Cam, spending countless hours editing and uploading videos to make sure our congregation stayed connected.
It’s been a long few months that no one expected, but as I write this – praise God! – Will and Cam are preparing for our church’s first Sunday morning back together again.
As Peter closes, we see a sweet glimmer of hope coming after a long letter speaking to suffering. Peter continues to encourage his readers in how to live while dispersed – humbly, confidently and soberly – and then promises that God Himself would restore them. Though they lived through the stress and chaos of the unknown, the One who controls all things knew their situation. He Himself would restore, confirm, strengthen and establish them!