Humble Yourselves Under God's Mighty Hand
1 Peter 5:6-10 ESV
Humble Yourselves
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.
In this passage, Peter encourages believers to humble themselves under God's mighty hand. This is not a call to humiliation or self-degradation, but rather a call to recognize our position under God's authority. It is an acknowledgement that God is supreme and that we are dependent on Him.
Casting Your Anxiety
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Peter instructs believers to cast their anxieties on God, because He cares for them. This is not a call to ignore our problems or avoid dealing with them, but rather to bring them to God in prayer. When we cast our anxieties on God, we are acknowledging that He is the one who can truly help us.
Be Sober-Minded and Watchful
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Peter warns believers to be sober-minded and watchful, because our adversary, the devil, is seeking to devour us. The devil is a cunning and stealthy enemy who is always on the lookout for an opportunity to attack. Therefore, we must be vigilant and prepared to resist his attacks.
Resist Him, Firm in Your Faith
9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Peter encourages believers to resist the devil, standing firm in their faith. We are not alone in our struggles, for our brothers and sisters in Christ are experiencing the same kinds of suffering throughout the world.
And the God of All Grace
10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
Finally, Peter reminds believers that God will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish them after they have suffered for a little while. This is not a promise of a life free from suffering, but rather a promise of a life of hope and glory in Christ.
