1 Peter 2:20 KJV
[20] “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”
Our verse gives us a contrast about suffering. The first part of this verse talks about suffering when we deserve it. The second part of this verse talks about suffering when we don’t deserve it. The best example of this would be in the life of David. He knew what it was to suffer because of his great sin with Bathsheba. He also knew what it was to suffer at the hands of Saul for just trying to do right.
The difference in these two areas of David’s life was that when Saul was trying to kill David, He endured his suffering with a clear conscience. David knew he was not guilty and tried to do what was right. Saul did not accept him, but God did. He knew God would make a way for him if he remained faithful and endured the suffering.
After his sin with Bathsheba, David endured suffering but experienced great guilt. We read in his Psalms how much he wept over his sin. There was no glory to God in this suffering. He not only suffered, but he watched the suffering of those around him that he loved. Sin spread throughout his family as a result of his own sin. David was buffeted for his faults and took it patiently.
I once knew an older preacher who told me of a time when he stepped out of the will of God. He said his life was so miserable that he cried to God and asked Him to help him get back into the center of His will. God answered that prayer, but he shared with me an experience he had endured. He said for the next five years, he endured suffering every day because of the time he had gotten away from the Lord. He told me that God was merciful to him during those five years, but the only thing he could do was take his whipping every day for the wrong decisions he had once made. He was buffeted for his faults and took it patiently.
Dear reader, follow the instructions in this verse and do well so that if you suffer, it will be acceptable to God and for His glory. Allow God’s grace, not your guilt, to overwhelm you for your suffering. Sin has consequences and brings continual suffering. Purpose in your heart to do well!