I Peter 3:13-22  According to God's Word, as Peter wrote.. we are called for the purpose of giving blessings - doing good, speaking words of kindness and sympathy...loving others with brotherly love.. living humble, peaceful, and righteous lives.  But, sometimes we suffer. 

"But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed." (v14) When this happens.. and it will.. Peter tells us to "not fear".. but to "sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.. "  

Sanctify - set apart - Jesus Christ.. as Lord... He is our Strength.  He is our Provider.  He is our Rock. He is our Eternal God. "Of whom shall I be afraid?" When things are troubling.. .we turn to our Lord and trust Him.   He has given us a "living hope".. a present hope, a future possession, and a promise of protection until the Day of His coming.  Instead of fear.. in Christ our Lord we can react to our accusers with "gentleness and reverence".  We can guard our conscience and trust that Christ will take care of those who are in the wrong.  As Romans 12:19 says, "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written,'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.' says the Lord." 

As always, it is Christ Jesus who is our example - "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit." (v18) It is in His death and resurrection that we are saved. It is because He is at the right hand of the Father in heaven.. with authority over all.. that we have hope. He is our only Defense.  Let us "sanctify Christ as Lord" in our hearts!

Father in heaven, how we exalt You and bless Your holy Name! Thank You for such a wonderful Savior.  Help us to stand firm in this evil day.. with Truth firmly belted around us.  Jesus Christ is Lord of all.  He is Faithful and True. His grace is sufficient for every need. Father, may Your grace and goodness fall upon those in dire need of Your Presence today. "Who is like You? Who can rescue the weak from those stronger than they, the poor and needy from those who exploit them?" (Psalm 35:10)  I pray for those in Afghanistan and Haiti..  who are suffering so much right now. Be exalted in those nations, Lord God, and in ours too!   Reign over all the earth.. let Your Kingdom come! We ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.