Reading: We’re not told by Peter to do good, endure suffering, and submit to authority for no reason and with no example. Jesus, the bedrock of our faith, was sinless and endured slander and suffering. The birth of a people pursuing God with the heart came from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Because of his sinlessness, he was able to bare our sins in his body on the cross. We have new life in him. Through his wounds, we are healed!

All the while, as we walk in the good works prepared for us, he looks over us and takes care of us even through the suffering. Psalm 23 gets to the heart of the Lord’s relationship to man when he submits to God, like the shepherd watching over his sheep:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

    He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

    he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk

    through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

    for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

    in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

    my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me

    all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord 

    forever.

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God’s healing?

Prayer Prompt: Thank you, God, for always looking out for me. Even though this life can be hard at times, you always take care of me. Everything that is good comes from you. I’m so thankful for the example that Jesus set in front of me so I can walk in his footsteps. I was a sheep gone astray, but you have found me. Thank you!