Facing 2025 with strength

Did you start 2025 with a sense of fragility?

No, not the 'feeling fragile' that people experience on New Year’s Day when far too much alcohol was consumed on New Year’s Eve. Rather, the sense of fragility that comes from living as 'God’s elect, exiles scattered' (1 Peter 1:1).

Or the sense of fragility that is unsure what people will think about Christians and the church in the coming year. The sense of fragility experienced by many congregations with fragile finances and small numbers. The sense of fragility that sees our society collapsing under its own contradictions, bereft of the Christian truth that has given a foundation for civilisation over centuries.

As we 'suffer grief in all kinds of trials', and see that so much around us is prone to 'perish, spoil or fade', Peter continues to give strength in 1 Peter 1:10-12. Here are two sorts of strength that you may need to grasp:

Do not panic: the path of suffering and glory was revealed long ago

Long ago the Spirit of Christ told the prophets that the Messiah would suffer, but that glories would follow. What a revelation! No wonder the prophets searched intently and with the greatest care trying to find out the timing of these events and the circumstances that would accompany the death and resurrection of their Saviour.

Students of the Scriptures – such as the prophets – would have known that a suffering-then-glorified Messiah means a suffering-then-glorified people. Where the Head goes, the body follows.

So do not be surprised that your life involves suffering. This was always God’s plan for Jesus the Living Stone, and for the living stones that are built upon Him. Nothing has caught God by surprise.

Do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal, Peter insists in chapter 4. If you participate in the sufferings of Christ then you will certainly participate in his glories.

Do not panic. Your plans may have changed but God’s purposes are steady. Long ago our faithful Creator revealed the path of suffering and glory and that path is where you are found.

Do not despair: look how much is 'for you'

As well as knowing that the Messiah would suffer then enter glory, the prophets also knew that their writings were primarily for generations beyond their own. They spoke of the grace that was to come 'to you'; they were not serving themselves 'but you'; they spoke of things that have now been 'told you'; you heard this by people who preached the gospel 'to you'.

The Holy Spirit was sent from heaven for this purpose – a 'for you' purpose!

Suffering can isolate us. We start to think everything is against us. But God is for us, not against us. Prophets and preachers, gospel and grace, all is for you! No wonder the angels are full of wonder!

You may be feeling fragile but God’s sovereign purposes are strong, and they surround you. You may be fragile but take heart from all that is for you. Face the rest of 2025 with strength from the Lord.