“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10 NIV

There are so many things in this one verse I could comment on, that I’m not sure where to start. But what really caught my attention this week was the word steadfast. I believe that each of us would love to be steadfast in our faith. Steadfast is defined as “firmly fixed in place, immovable,” “not subject to change,” and “firm in purpose, resolute, unwavering.” The Homan Bible Dictionary defines steadfast as “rooted and grounded in the Word.”

We all want to be steadfast, but as with most things, easier said than done. But Peter gives us hope. Hope that we can indeed be steadfast. That we can be trusting and not doubting, undefeated by troubles and suffering, unyielding in the face of temptation. But he also tells us that we can’t do it on our own. We need God to “restore” us and make us “strong, firm, and steadfast.”

Who better to tell us than Peter? Peter who was called as a disciple by Jesus. Peter who traveled with Jesus and saw the miraculous and impossible. Peter who recognized that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. Peter whose faith allowed him to walk on water (even if only for a short time). And finally, Peter who denied the Lord three times.

Peter lived this verse.

He was called to eternal glory in Christ, suffered for his denial of Jesus, and was restored by the resurrected Jesus Christ. Peter was made strong, firm and steadfast in his faith. The fisherman became an amazing preacher of the gospel!

This week, wherever we are, we can be thankful. If we are called, thankful to be a child of the Most High God. If we are suffering, thankful that the Lord is with us in our trials. If we are being restored, thankful for His forgiveness and strength so that we may be firm and steadfast. Thank You, Lord!

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we all embrace Peter’s example and strive to be strong, firm, and steadfast.

Blessings as you stand steadfast!