TODAY’S DAILY BIBLE VERSE

April 21, 2025

First Peter chapter 5 verse 10
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

VERSE CONTEXT

The Apostle Peter, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, addressed this epistle to believers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia—regions of what is now modern-day Turkey. These were Christians undergoing various forms of persecution under Roman rule, and many were suffering in social, economic, and spiritual isolation. Peter’s letter was intended as a pastoral encouragement to these believers, reminding them of the eternal inheritance awaiting them and the temporary nature of their earthly afflictions.

First Peter chapter 5 begins with instruction to the elders (pastors), urging them to feed the flock of God willingly and to lead by example (verse 2). Then Peter exhorts the younger believers to submit themselves to the elder and for all to be clothed in humility, casting their cares upon God because He cares for them (verse 7). From there, the warning shifts to a sobering reality: the devil “walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (verse 8). It is here, in the middle of that battle imagery—not outside of it—that verse 10 appears as a divine anchor.

Peter declares, “But the God of all grace…” The phrase “God of all grace” is more than poetic—it is doctrinal. Grace here means every kind of sustaining help and divine provision, not just unmerited favor for salvation. This God, who possesses every form of grace, is also the One who “hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus.” That calling is not only future, as in our heavenly reward, but present, because we are now partakers of that glory through Christ (see Romans chapter 8 verse 30: “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”)

Then comes the encouragement that is central to today’s verse and message: “after that ye have suffered a while…” Notice the brevity Peter attaches to suffering—a while. This is not to diminish the pain, but to remind the sufferer of the temporary nature of earthly trials in light of eternal glory. The word “suffered” refers broadly to all kinds of suffering—emotional, physical, spiritual, and even social. This means the person silently battling anxiety, depression, grief, or loneliness is not excluded.

Peter then lists four things God will do:

“Make you perfect” – This means to restore, equip, or complete. The Greek word (noted here only for context, not written) often refers to mending something torn—like a broken net or dislocated joint. God isn’t just soothing pain; He is actively restoring the soul.

“Stablish” – This means to set firmly in place, like a foundation stone that will not shift under pressure.

“Strengthen” – God gives inner resolve to stand firm under the weight of trials.

“Settle you” – This speaks of deep spiritual stability, like a house built on a rock rather than sand (Matthew chapter 7 verses 24–25).

All four of these words paint the picture of a believer who has been battered by storms but stands tall again—not because the storms stopped, but because God Himself reinforced their spiritual frame.

What makes this especially encouraging for those suffering in silence is that Peter does not speak this over a group of perfect, pain-free Christians. He speaks it to hurting people, and he expects God to intervene personally and powerfully. But notice this: Peter is not writing this privately to one believer. This letter was meant to be read publicly, reminding us that God’s comfort and care is not only personal—it is communal. The church is meant to be a place of healing, not hiding.

BROADER CONTEXT

The broader context of First Peter chapter 5 verse 10 ties into one of the central themes of Peter’s entire letter: suffering is not only expected in the Christian life—it is purposeful. And it is not meant to be endured in isolation.

This epistle was likely written between A.D. 62–64, just before or during the early stages of Nero’s reign of terror. Christians were being blamed for social unrest, mocked, excluded from economic participation, and in many cases, persecuted to the point of death. But not all suffering was dramatic. Many simply lived in quiet anguish—cut off from families, pressured to conform, and marginalized by their communities. This is no different from what many believers go through today: quiet, inward suffering that never makes headlines.

Peter writes to remind them that suffering does not mean abandonment. In fact, if we step back to examine the entire book, we see how the Spirit of God, through Peter, builds a theology of suffering for the believer:

First Peter chapter 1 verse 7: “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”- Trials refine the faith of the believer like fire purifies gold. The suffering is not for destruction—it is for glory.

First Peter, chapter 2 verse 21: “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” Jesus is not just our Savior—He is our example. If He suffered unjustly, we must not be surprised when we do. But we are never alone in that suffering.

First Peter chapter 4 verse 12–13: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings…” Trials are not foreign to the Christian—they are the confirmation that we belong to Christ.

Now, back in chapter 5, Peter emphasizes that we have a spiritual enemy who would love nothing more than to devour the isolated and the silent. Verse 8 describes Satan as a roaring lion, seeking those he can destroy. But what is the lion’s strategy? Isolation. He hunts the stragglers. He wants the believer to think that no one understands, that no one sees, and that no one cares. God has not only promised to restore the individual—He has also gifted the believer with the body of Christ.

Peter opens this chapter by addressing the elders (pastors) and calling them to feed the flock—a phrase that mirrors Jesus’ charge to Peter in John chapter 21 verse 17: “Feed my sheep.” Shepherds are meant to nourish, guard, and gather the sheep—not just preach at them. Likewise, Peter calls all believers to humility, mutual submission, and care for one another.

The church is not a weekly event. It is a family, a shelter, and a place of healing. God has not only given grace from heaven—He has given grace through people. When we isolate ourselves in our pain, we reject not only comfort, but also God’s chosen instruments of healing.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714, Presbyterian) wrote concerning this verse: “The hand of God lays the burden, and the hand of God removes it. He has His own time and way of relieving His people; let them patiently wait, and all shall end well.”

John MacArthur (1939–present, Reformed Baptist) adds: “This verse is the climax of Peter’s encouragement: God Himself will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. The suffering is real, but it is never without the divine presence and a divine purpose.”

The broader context is clear: you are not alone, and your suffering is not wasted. God is working, and He is working through His people. As Galatians chapter 6 verse 2 commands, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

APPLICATION

When we hear “after ye have suffered a while…” we don’t need convincing that the suffering is real—we’ve already felt it. What many believers struggle with is not identifying the pain, but believing they are allowed to speak it. Far too many walk through the doors of church each week wearing silent burdens like invisible chains. They sing. They serve. They smile. But deep inside, they are breaking—because they’ve been convinced that suffering makes them weak, or that if they were truly faithful, they wouldn’t feel so crushed.

But this verse in First Peter chapter 5 verse 10 speaks directly into that lie: suffering is not a mark of failure—it is part of the refining path to glory, and it is the very place where God does His most restorative work. That restoration often begins when we cry out to God in private prayer—but it is not meant to end there. God never intended for His children to carry their trials alone. He gave us the church, the body, the family of believers, precisely because He knew we would need shoulders to lean on. That means if you’re hurting today, do not suffer in silence. Go to your heavenly Father in prayer and speak to Him openly—He is the “God of all grace.” There is no form of pain, grief, fear, or depression that is beyond His power or patience. But also go to your brothers and sisters in Christ. God placed you in a church not to be invisible, but to be seen, known, and carried when needed.

And if you are the one being leaned on—if someone chooses to open their heart to you—understand that you have just been invited into holy work. You’re not just being a good friend. You are fulfilling the law of Christ (Galatians chapter 6 verse 2), being used as a vessel of comfort, doing the very work God does. You become His hands, His arms, His presence. This is not a small thing—it is a sacred one.

To those reading this who are weary, wounded, or walking through something you’ve told no one about—you are not a burden. You are not weak for needing help. You are human, and you are loved by a Father who promises to perfect, stablish, strengthen, and settle you. And part of how He does that is through His Spirit in you, and His Spirit working through others.

Let the church be the church. Let grace flow through both prayer and presence. Lean in, cry out, and take comfort—not just in the promise that God is working—but in the reality that He already has provided a family of faith to hold you while He does. When you walk in the grace of that truth, the silence begins to break—and healing begins to sing.

FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT

You are not alone. Whatever pain you carry today—whether it’s anxiety that you hide behind a smile, grief that lingers in quiet moments, or burdens you’re too afraid to voice—God sees it all. And more than that, He is already at work within it. First Peter chapter 5 verse 10 assures you that your suffering is not permanent, and neither is your isolation. The God of all grace—grace that saves, grace that sustains, grace that restores—has personally called you to His eternal glory through Christ. And He does not leave you to walk this path alone.

His plan includes not only divine comfort through prayer, but also human comfort through community. So if you’re hurting, speak. If you’re weary, reach out. And if someone around you is hurting, be the one who helps carry their burden. This is how we reflect the love of Christ to one another. It’s not just comfort for comfort’s sake—it is the outworking of God’s perfect will. He is still restoring. He is still settling. He is still strengthening. He is still holding you. And He may be doing all of that right now—through the loving hands of a fellow believer.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

You are the God of all grace, and today we lift up every soul who suffers in silence. Lord, for those too tired to speak, too afraid to reach out, or too wounded to try again—we ask that You would be near. Comfort them in Your mercy. Strengthen them with Your Word. Let them feel Your presence like a healing balm on every wounded place.

And Father, awaken our hearts to one another. Teach us to listen without judgment. To hold without letting go. To be patient with pain, even when we don’t understand it. May Your church rise up as a family that carries one another with tenderness and truth. Let us be bold in compassion and gentle in love, knowing that when we lift up a brother or sister, we are doing Your work. Remind us daily that no trial is wasted in Your hands and no suffering unseen. Anchor us in Your promises and settle our hearts in Your peace.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Sustainer,
Amen.

CLOSING

If you’ve found these daily verses encouraging, enlightening, or fruitful, please consider helping us spread the truth and light of God’s Word by subscribing to the blog and YouTube channels and liking and following the Facebook page. Most of all, share Believers of Biblical Truth and our links with others who may need the sermons and daily teachings just as much as we do.

You are loved—so much in fact, that we want you to know and be Believers of Biblical Truth.

Shalom Shalom.