The Right Word at the Right Time
By Lollie Hofer
“…who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” 1 Peter 1:2
Sometimes God calls us to hard places with challenging circumstances. The “chosen” in the passage today’s verse comes from could totally relate.
As a Christian, have you ever been desperate for words of encouragement? The Jewish Christians referenced in 1 Peter 1, “God’s elect,” greatly needed reassurance. They were experiencing intense persecution. But God turned what others meant for evil to good and used those who had become “scattered” to share the gospel. Though they suffered, the Holy Spirit set them apart to fulfill this calling.
Their current circumstances were hard and painful. Displaced from their homeland, they were probably lonely and homesick. Maybe they even questioned God’s will or God’s love for them. And then Peter’s letter arrived. Peter, the author of the Bible book bearing his name, wanted to reassure them of their call to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. His letter arrived full of hope and guidance.
Devouring the encouraging words, they passed the letter from person to person, community to community.
I know the value of someone speaking the right words at the right time. I’m uncomfortable being in front of a crowd; so much so I have nightmares of stage fright. However, to my horror, the Lord had me lead songs for a children’s outreach ministry. For the first few weeks I was an emotional mess. One night a friend walked by, put her hand on my shoulder, and said, “The Lord didn’t call you so He could set you up to fail.” Her words enabled me to do something I never dreamed I could.
Never underestimate the importance of speaking God-inspired words to someone desperate to hear from Him. Those words, just like Peter’s, may be the very thing that will sustain them, bringing them hope and enabling them to fulfill God’s purposes and plans.
Lollie Hofer is a wife, mother, grandmother, freelance author, and contributor to Wholly Loved Ministries’ devotional project. She and her husband, Mike, are blessed with two adult children and three grandchildren. They live in Omaha, Nebraska. She attends Omaha Christian Center where she is involved in the children’s ministries. It is her desire for the Lord Jesus to be glorified in all she writes. You are invited to visit one of her blogs at https://lolliehofer.blogspot.com/.
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Originally published Friday, 14 December 2018.
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