The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 4:12-13, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing,

as though some strange thing were happening to you;

13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His

glory, you may rejoice with exultation.”

Everyone loves surprises! Birthdays, Christmases, anniversaries –you name it; everyone loves surprises!

There are, however, some things that come upon us unannounced. Often, these slippery events catch us unawares, in that they offer nothing more than the surprise itself. There are no gifts, no promises of good things; they’re just surprises.

Simon Peter understood the meaning of surprises, and he tells us “not to be surprised” at these adverse situations that befall us. They are the means of the LORD’s testing. Nothing has ever occurred that the LORD has not known ahead of time. Parents often test their children to insure that they will behave properly in given situations. Why, then, should we be surprised when the LORD does the same thing to us? After all, He tested your parents before they tested you.

It’s easy to be excited when the surprise is a new iPad or an iPhone or something from the new super-electronic store. But what should be our reaction if the surprise were something of suffering or a loss through a physical emergency? Peter says that we should view such sufferings as complementary to the sufferings of Christ. If He suffered (and He did, infinitely more than any other person on Earth!), why should we be surprised if we are called upon to do the same?

One day, Peter assures us, we will rejoice – you read it correctly! – that we will rejoice at being permitted to share in the sufferings of Christ Himself. Ministers of the Gospel, Christian educators, missionaries, all share in sufferings. So, for the time being, we must just rejoice! Rejoice in hope for hope is the believer’s “future certainty.” Whatever negativity befalls us here on Earth, we are assured of His superlative blessings in Glory! So, start rejoicing! Don’t give up! Don’t question God! Just praise the LORD that He found us worthy to suffer for His glory!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”