Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you. To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:6‭-‬11

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• First, Peter the Apostle teaches that God can use difficulties to strengthen Christians and their witness. Knowing this can bring hope. We discover how faith, refined by suffering, can help us see the Lord more clearly. It gives valuable advice for holding firm in difficult times. Peter saw that increasing hardship and persecution had scattered believers, which spread their witness but caused some to wonder if God had abandoned them. Peter wrote to encourage them, offering them hope and meaning in the midst of their suffering. What is going on in this scripture?
• Peter gives specific directions, to be obedient and humble, and to cast their care upon God. He then urges all to be sober-minded, watchfulness against temptations, and devoted in the faith, praying sincerely for them; finally, Peter’s letter ends with somber spiritual praise, combined greetings, and his apostolical prayerful blessing.

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• What is the theme?
  1. Humility is the great preserver of peace and order in all Christian churches and societies, therefore, pride is the great troublemaker of them, and the cause of most controversies and violations in the church.
  2. There is a collective resistance between God and the proud, so the word conveys; they war against Him, and He utterly disdains them; he resists the proud because they are like the devil, enemies to Himself and to His kingdom among men, Proverbs 3:34.
  3. Where God gives grace to be humble, He will give more grace, more wisdom, faith, holiness, and humility. Then, the apostle adds: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, 1 Peter 5:6.
     1. We learn,
        • The consideration of the omnipotent hand of God should make us humble and submissive to him in all that He brings upon us.
        • Humbling ourselves to God under His hand is the next way to salvation and glorification; patience under His wrath, and submission to His pleasure, repentance, prayer, and hope in His mercy, will cause involvement for His help and set us free in due time.

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• How can it be applied to our own lives?
  • Everything mentioned that Peter is urging and encouraging us to do in scripture. I mean, “Just Do It!”
  • Find ways to grow our faith and spread/share the Good News of the Gospel.
• What changes need to be made? Is there any action that needs to happen?
  • Not to sound like a broken record, “Just Do It!”
  • We need to stop procrastinating and stop believing the lies of the enemy (the devil) and our own lies from our inner voices.

What can you think of and offer to fit this scripture and list of things that relate to the current day? Share!

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Prayer: Thank You, Father God, for everything, good and bad. I pray that we all learn from our mistakes and stand firm in our faith. Please place me (us) where You want us to be Your vessels in planting seeds and bringing lost souls to You. I love, adore, honor, glorify, and revere You. In Jesus’ name, amen.