Through the Bible - Jeremiah 24-26, 2 Timothy 4
Good morning,
In this past Sunday's High School Sunday School class we looked at John chapter 21 where Jesus called and challenged Peter to "feed" and "tend" His lambs, His sheep.
That morning the Daily Bread's devotional was from 1 Peter 5 where we go for today's verse.
1 Peter 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. NKJV
Reading these verses, this passage (below), it is helpful to keep in mind who it was that wrote it. More than that, it is important to recall all that he had been through as a "follower" of Christ.
Peter was called several times to follow Jesus. Initially he dropped his nets and followed when first called. He climbed out of the boat to walk on water as Jesus did, yet ended up denying Him three times. The last two times that Peter was called to follow was in John 21. From that time on he would follow whole heartedly with his whole heart, soul, and mind.
Sim Kay Tee wrote this in Sunday's Daily Bread "In his pride Peter overestimated his own strength and underestimated the devil's prowess. Peter now calls for humility (5:5,6), total dependence on God (v.7), and an honest assessment of one's own strength (v.8). He calls for greater vigilance, watchfulness, and resistance to the devil, whom he now acknowledges is like a roaring and devouring lion."
It is a reminder for us not to be confident in ourselves. We may have to learn some lessons the hard way, but hopefully, after we've suffered for a while He will "establish, strengthen, and settle" us, for His glory and honor.
Read the passage below. How does Peter, how does God speak to you in this passage today?
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
1 Peter 5:1-11
Shepherd the Flock
5 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
Submit to God, Resist the Devil
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
"God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble."
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. NKJV
No comments:
Post a Comment