1 Peter 5

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I Peter 5:6-9, Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

In this last chapter of I Peter, we find Peter giving final thoughts to the churches.  This is where he lands the plane, he emphasizes certain critical points for their Christian walk.  While Peter discusses a number of things, these three stand out as most important: humility, alertness, and faithfulness. 

Let’s start by talking a bit about humility.  In this context, humility means putting aside our own agenda for God’s.  It means accepting the fact that we may not get recognition but we should serve God anyway.  No task is too small or too menial for God’s Kingdom.  God’s Kingdom is advanced so much more when people don’t worry about who gets the credit.  That’s humility.

Then, there’s alertness.  We need to be on guard.  This means not allowing our minds to get sloppy.  It means staying focused on God and not getting distracted by worldly influences.  If we do, this provides an inroad for the enemy to sneak in and cause problems.  Stay focused on the things of God.

Finally, there is faithfulness.  Regardless of our earthly circumstances, stay true to God and the beliefs of the faith.  It might not always appear to be so, but God always walks with us directing our paths.  We are never alone, even when we experience persecution.  God is faithful to us and calls us to stay faithful to him. 

How are you doing in these areas?  Where are you when it comes to being humble for the faith?  How alert are you – do you struggle with distraction and sloppy thinking?  Finally, where are you on the faithfulness scale?  Have you stayed true to the faith? 

Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, Help us be people who are humble, alert, and faithful, so that we can be of use to the Kingdom.  Use us, Lord.  Mold us into the people you have called us to be.  More of you and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.