Vexing Is In The Mix

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 5:8-11 ESV

This word translated 'suffered' is Pascho (G3958) and it means to be vexed or immersed in sensory identification. The woman with an issue of blood suffered at the hands of her physicians before she touched the hem of the garment of the the great physician and found healing. Jesus was vexed in many ways. The Messiah had to be vexed first and so do we have to be vexed.

There is no strengthening, confirming, or establishing without a period of vexing. It is a short period but a measured period that must seem long even though it is by comparison to eternity short.

Vexing causes identification with frustration and that is a necessary ingredient for the established person.

Has God poured a measure of vexing into your mixing bowl of late? Has He?

No worries it will all be folded in soon enough to make a batter that will rise and produce eternal glory. Our God of all grace will make sure of it.

Just like when divine red blood touches the blackest sin and makes it white as snow when mercy grace and truth are mixed with great vexing God makes something beautiful out of it. The dry wood of our humanity is overlaid with gold and a work of art is created.

Don't get me wrong it isn't easy. It boarders on intolerable. Jesus' body flinched at the crack of the whip and His brow hated the crown of thorns. It would not be vexing if it was easy. In the midst of suffering He was a lamb that opened not His mouth. He didn't beg His captors to stop... He poured out His soul to His Father.

I want to refuse to let my sensory identification with frustration to get me to speak words I will regret later. Let the frustration be wiped away like dross from silver and the purification process proceed as planned.

Eternal glory is never a deserved result. Only a God of all grace can establish us.

I surrender all to You the God of all power and dominion. I want to marvel at Your artistry. Today my eyes are fixed on You.