New? February 22 Devotional
February 22, 2025
1 PETER 4:12 | 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
This verse, with its reference to a “fiery ordeal,” almost certainly refers to one of the imperial persecutions, most probably the Neronian one in AD 64 and following years. Nero went so far as to use Christians as human torches in his Gardens, after blaming them for the great fire. Peter notes that persecution is to be expected, for at least two reasons. One is that authorities can “go dark,”
abandoning their rightful role of protecting citizens and preserving a just order. They can, as Nero certainly did, abuse their powers. Another reason to expect persecution is that Christ demands
ultimate loyalty. His kingship is a threat to any authority that pretends absolute power, as well as to the pagan religious systems he exposed as false and idolatrous.
Pray for an area of the world when Christians are openly persecuted.
Gracious God,
Thank you for the religious protections and freedoms built into our Constitution. Preserve them and may they spread throughout our world.
Amen.
