Establish, Strengthen, Settle

I arose at dawn this morning, desiring to have quiet time to listen for the Voice of the Holy Spirit.  I just sat silently for a long time and then I was led to this verse, so I read it over and over:
May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Messiah Yeshua, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:10-11)

Meditating on this verse, I thought about the current state of the world and its people, and how many are suffering. Some have suffered the very real effects of this terrible Corona Virus; some have suffered greatly from the isolation and separation, especially those locked down in nursing homes, unable to see family or have visitors, and some have suffered loss of jobs and income. But Peter seems to be sharing with us this deep truth that for those who are in Yeshua, suffering accomplishes a powerful work in us. It perfects, establishes, strengthens and settles us.  As I let those words sink deep into my mind and heart, I suddenly recalled a blog I wrote many years ago that focused on these words. It was written in December of 2014. I reprint it below, for it is God's Word - as accurate and on-time today as it was then - and the startling thing is that when I wrote this piece back in 2014, I was not even aware of the 1 Peter verse that clearly emphasizes THESE THREE WORDS: ESTABLISH, STRENGTHEN AND SETTLE

STRENGTHEN FALTERING KNEES
December 21, 2014
If you spent any time watching the news the past two weeks you were in danger of entering into a time and place of fear.  Keeping our eyes and ears fixed on the world right now is a dangerous thing to do, for the enemy sets snares for us to fall into great fear, anxiety and depression as we watch economies collapse, people suffering, and riots across our cities.

This past week was the first time I can remember being ensnared by this fear; but I switched off the TV and the voices of the world, and got into the Shadow of El Shaddai where I could hear the ONLY voice that matters -- and he spoke three words to me.  I heard only these three words, and so I have spent the last few days letting those words reverberate in my spirit and quiet my heart.  He said:
ESTABLISH
STRENGTHEN
SETTLE

These are good words, words of strength and shalom.  This morning I went into Scripture and asked the Spirit to guide me to the passages that contain these words, and so I offer them to you as one flowing prayer of His promises that we can pray and believe in as the world reels out of control. If we stay close to Him and in His Word, we will be established, strengthened and settled.

 He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (Micah 4:3)

 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us. (Isaiah 26:12)

 Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees. (Job 4:4)

And I pray that we, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Messiah. (Ephesians 3:17-18)

 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)