Devotionals by Raul Ries

TUESDAY September 29, 2026

Be Tenderhearted

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous....
1 Peter 3:8

Peter could teach about being tenderhearted in this verse only because he lived it. Most likely he thought in his own mind and heart of the deep valley he was going to suffer through in the future. You see, as he saw so many Christians being killed––people whom he loved and cared for––he knew that one day he would be martyred. He most likely thought of Jesus’ words––words that predicted his future death:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, [Peter], when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me” (John 21:18-19).

A day in the future would come when Peter would be crucified upside down. Imagine, his head would be facing toward the ground, and his eyes would look upward toward the heavens. I am sure that on that bittersweet day, his life became crystal clear, as he understood the picture of his ministry completed and, through grace, his eternal inheritance to come. He also would recognize that what he was enduring and suffering was not in vain, but for the glory of the Lord.

It is the same for you and me––what we suffer and endure in this life is brief. The lives we live are so short in this world, and what really counts is what we do for the Lord every single day. Our eyes should be on the heavens; one day we are going to suffer death and go home––home for all eternity. That is why Peter had a tender heart for the brethren, and that is why we need to have a tender heart toward each other.

A tender heart is a wakeful, watchful heart. It watches against sin in the soul, sin in the family, sin in the calling, sin in spiritual duties and performances.
~John Bunyan~

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