September 27, 2020
Nobody likes to suffer, yet the witness of the Scriptures is uniform in declaring that suffering is one of God’s greatest tools of transformation in the lives of His people. In his letters to the scattered church throughout Asia Minor, Peter addresses this issue and provides encouragement for believers who were under attack through persecution, oppression, and even direct attack by the enemy through false teachers. In the midst of their suffering, Peter reminds them to keep their eyes fixed on their eternal reward: Christ Jesus Himself! As we spend time over the next eight days reading the epistles of Peter, let’s make it out goal to fix our eyes on Jesus and to maintain joy in Him even through the most difficult trials and suffering!
In the closing chapter of his first epistle Peter gives instructions for the elders of the churches as well as those under their care. He tells them all to be clothe themselves with humility towards one another and to cast their cares upon God because He cares for them!
Peter then warns his readers to be vigilant in guarding themselves against the attacks of the devil. He reminds them that they have a great spiritual enemy who is looking to destroy and devour them. Satan sometimes causes our suffering as believers, and other times he will try to use it to destroy us or to crush our faith.
Peter calls his readers to stand firm and know that they are not alone in their suffering! The experience they are going through is one that is universal to the church all over the world; we all suffer in some way for the sake of Christ, and so we are never alone in this spiritual struggle! In the end, after we have suffered temporarily, God will be faithful to restore us and bring us into a place where suffering is abolished forever!
1 Peter 5
Shepherd the Flock of God
5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered 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. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- How can you heed Peter’s warning to be on guard against spiritual attack from the devil?
Dear Heavenly Father,
I am casting all of my burdens at Your feet. I know You will take care of me for You have plans for me and you will direct my paths. I will focus on You only knowing that the devil is prowling around like a lion stalking his prey. Please protect me and my family from his evil intentions. Trust and obey is my motto. I will trust and obey You in all I do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
AMEN and HALLELUJAH!!! Dear Heavenly Father I will always trust you with my
Christian walk. I will forever keep Satan away from me. I will follow in your footsteps. You are the Lord most high. In Jesus name I pray, Amen
Good morning my Father. I thank you for another day in the land of the living. I thank you for your plans for me/us today. I say Amen to Jeremiah 29:11, because He who promised is faithful. 1 Peter 5:7, I cast all my anxieties on you my Lord because you care for me. Be my vision today in all You allow me to be a part of. I love you Lord, thank you for loving me first. It is in Jesus mighty name I pray with thanksgiving. Amen??.
Loving Father,
I cry out for the wander today. The one who has little by little followed a path away from you.
The devil is sly and uses every device in his arsenal to draw your children away.
Father, only you can open the eyes and heart of the wander to return to you. Send your Holy Spirit to draw the wander back to you.
May I, in all that I do, mirror your love for them.
Jesus Christ, your only son will return some day. May we be ready and rejoice.
For it is in His name I pray,
Amen
It is written in James 4:7 -8 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you…” . Father, thank you that Satan is a defeated foe and you have promised that he will flee when/if I draw/stay near to you – in prayer, in your word. Father, please draw me & keep me near I pray?!
I will humble myself and He will exalt me at the proper time. I will cast all my anxiety upon Him. I will be of sober spirit and on alert. I will resist the devil, and be firm in my faith.
God I submit everything to you but this year has been another horrible year for my husband Walt in the hospital a third time with cellulitis under his ostomy bag. I know you are my Lord , I pray every morning and I cannot feel the peace I once had. I will never give up because I know you are by my right side and have never left me. Thank you for giving me the peace I need as now they are saying surgery now.
No one said they took time Sat to prayer walk with F Graham in DC for our nation.
Est 50,000 did. Only prayer is going to save our nation if we confuses the sins of our nation that we have been passive about.
Lord help me be watchful and resist satan’s attacks, temptations and everything he does to discourage me in my faith and destroy me.