Challenges in our lives will never stop coming. Like waves that ebb and flow in strength and number, our trials and suffering come in and go out, but they never stop coming. The solution is to fix our eyes on God and the hope revealed in His Word. Ellie Holcomb’s song “Find You Here” reminds us that He is in the midst of each ordeal…even the darkest ones.
Peter knew he needed to prepare believers for fiery trials, too. Let’s let our song lead us there this week.
On this episode I discuss:
- Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week’s Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Read and keep on reading
- Explore a topic
- Follow the cross references
- The problem with contemporary western thought in regard to suffering
- “Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering” by Timothy Keller
- Episode 171 and my reference to Jen Wilkin’s book “None Like Him”
- Ellie Holcomb’s blog post about the story behind the song – www.ellieholcomb.com
- The pattern in 1 Peter – We suffered. Christ suffered. We suffered. Christ suffered – Hebrews 4:15
- Jesus made perfect through suffering – Hebrews 2:10
- God is pleased with us when we endure suffering patiently – 1 Peter 2:20
- The example Christ leaves for suffering – 1 Peter 2:22-25
- The cross reference to Isaiah 53:2-12
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If you have never heard this song before, you can listen to the official audio on YouTube below.
Additional Resources
Download the single or entire album by clicking the link below.
- Lyrics and chords for “Find You Here” by Ellie Holcomb – Ultimate Guitar
- Story behind the song “Find You Here” by Ellie Holcomb – New Release Today Article
This Week’s Challenge
Read 1 Peter all the way through. It may benefit you to read it through several times in several translations. Once you have a good grasp of the letter as a whole, focus in on what the letter says specifically about suffering. You may find it easiest to go through and make a list of every reference to suffering, trials, etc. If you want to follow the example of this podcast, study the example of Christ Peter gives in chapter 2. Follow the cross-reference to Isaiah 53 it will really give you perspective. Do all of this with the corrected worldview that suffering is not to be avoided at all cost (and I think we know that practically it can’t be), but that we can endure it humbly (because we are not all knowing) and with confidence (because God has promised restoration, support and strength).
