We begin reading in 1 Peter today and I was MOST blessed to meditate on 1 Peter 1:1-5:
1 Peter, an apostle (a special messenger) of Jesus Christ, [writing] to the elect exiles of the dispersion scattered (sowed) abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be sprinkled with [His] blood: May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be realized in and through Christ, freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts]. 3 Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 [Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God’s power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.
I love that verse one adds "sowed" to the word "scattered" in reference to the early church being sent to all parts of their world! The Weust translation says this:
1 Peter, an ambassador of Jesus Christ, to those who have settled down alongside of a pagan population, sown as seed throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen-out ones, this choice having been determined by the foreordination of God the Father,
We have often heard the early church was scattered out of fear of the persecution going on. We must remember this from Proverbs 16:9:
9 A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. AMP
Mankind ALWAYS wants a natural explanation for why things happen, when the God of the Bible has already put within His Word the answers to every question we could ever have! It takes time, energy, discipline and a determined purpose to find it out, though! I hope that it is worth it to you to continue digging into the wonderful, powerful, living Word of God! Remember, He has exalted both His Name and His Word, and He has placed His WORD even above His NAME (Psalm 138:2)! In fact, it is the Word of the Living God that has given to Him THE NAME that is above every other Name! AMEN! So, though in the natural realm it appeared the new believers ran from persecution, the Word of God actually shows us that HE scattered them abroad, after having given every believer the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5), commissioned them to take the Gospel to the entire world, and promised to be with them, confirming His Word , and their prayer, with signs, wonders and miracles! Every time you see or hear of a negative event going on in the world around you, pray in the Spirit, and then ask the Father where HE is in this and what HE would have YOU to do! Then just go and do it! Pretty simple, don't you think? Thank You, JESUS! Here is Hillsong United with "No Reason To Hide":
Shalom in Him!
