Verse of the Day 5/24

 

 

1 Peter 5:8-9    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.   English Standard Version (ESV)

 

We've been considering watching and waiting on the Lord in prayer.  Today's encouragement to us from Peter has the same basic thing in mind.  It also comes with a warning.  "The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up."  (The Message).  That is the reason we need to be sober-minded and watchful.

 

In this day and age most people question or even ridicule talk of and moreso belief in "the devil".  The Bible warns us that he is very real.  Many times he may be subtle and tempt as he did to Eve, "did God really say"?  How often do we hear that said of God's Word when it goes contrary to secular thought? 

 

Being sober-minded is to think clearly, rely on the wisdom and understanding, the grace that God gives us and not be "under the influence" of the world around us, the political correctness and secular thinking.  We are to be "watchful" of the sublties and sometimes blatant lies that are spread as the new norm or a new truth. Accepting them will only cause us harm and to suffer in our faith.

 

We are to be firm in our faith, hold onto it, "keep a grip on it".  If we are careless and let go, the devil, the adversary, is real and he and his cohorts are ready to pounce on the opportunity.  Hold on and be confident that "Jesus has the last word, yes He does." (The Message)

 

In Christ,

Mike

 

 

 

1 Peter 5:8-11The Message (MSG)

He Gets the Last Word

^8-11 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.