The Music Only Video Follows The Commentary Below
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1 Peter 4:12-19 - New International Version (NIV)
Suffering for Being a Christian
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on
you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so
that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for
the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind
of criminal, or even as a meddler.
16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise
God that you bear that name.
17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a]
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
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Hi!
In the scripture above, Peter writes about "suffering for being a Christian" and compares it to being like a "fiery ordeal" that comes upon us" leaving us feeling as though as if "something strange" is happening.
King David's cries to the Lord recorded in Psalms show us that even a "man after God's own heart" can wonder about the troubling ordeals he faced.
Knowing these times, are nothing but a moment when compared to a glorious eternal life with God in heaven can help us, and as God says in Revelation 21:4: 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Nevertheless, there are periods on this earth when our journey can be so strange, painful and confusing. When we struggle to pray wondering if we are being heard. When things can seems so endlessly dark. When illness invades our lives and we search for healing and some kind of meaning to make it all make sense.
Christian artist Randy Stonehill wrote a beautiful song that expresses, as David did over 3,000 years ago, that we can often find our faith mixed with confusion as we journey through this life.
In his song, called "Beyond The Veil," Stonehill acknowledges this dichotomy, while also giving a clear expression to knowing that now we can only see in a mirror dimly, but someday we will see Him face to face!
(1 Corinthians 13:12)
With that in mind, no matter what you are going through, I hope and pray that this song will speak to your heart and Bless you!
Thank you for stopping by!
(Lyrics below)
BEYOND THE VEIL
The fiber of this life is paper thin
A spider's web can be torn by a shift in the wind
And the mirror pool is shattered when you toss a pebble in
CHORUS:
And I'm not afraid to admit that I'm afraid
Bewildered by the great and the terrible way we're made
Oh that my eyes could shed these scales
I can almost make out the shape of a face
Just beyond the veil
Questions crowd my heart and will not pass
My prayers are lost in silence and the sky is like brass
But I'll stay on my knees until my answer comes at last
CHORUS
BRIDGE:
Closer to the flame
We drink our cup of pain
And it burns us to the bone
In the fire we find a strength
Greater than our own
Than our own
