1 Peter 3:14-15 Santify the Lord in Your Hearts - Devotional Scripture

 

 

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.   

1 Peter 3:14-15

Don’t let your suffering trouble you, don’t allow your thoughts to run in all directions or start thinking about all the things that might happen to you.

God said something similar in Isaiah 8.  Israel and Syria had come against Judah. All the people of Judah were tempted to give into their fear and panic.

 

Do not say, "A conspiracy," concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. He will be as a sanctuary.   Isaiah 8:12-14

We are not to be afraid of what man can do us but instead we are to be afraid of what God is going to do. Jesus said,

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.                    Matthew 10:28  

As Christians, we are faced with many crises and are tempted to give into our fears and make the wrong decisions.  Instead of giving into our fears we need to sanctify the Lord in our hearts.  To sanctify the Lord means to worship and honor Him as our Lord and Savior. We need to allow Him to be the ruler our hearts.  We need to fear displeasing Him rather than fear what men might say about us or what they might do to us.  

 And lastly, we need to remember that we will be blessed when we suffer for doing good.  Knowing that we will be blessed should be our motive to not fear persecution.

 

And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.   1 Peter 5:10