Scripture:
1 Peter 5:6-11 ESV
[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.
Observation:
Peter is giving the church advice on how to keep their feet firmly planted on the right path. You will notice he starts with humbling yourself before the mighty hand of GOD. Peter of all people knew what this felt like. After his 3 year walk with Jesus. He had experienced the effects of pride. Jesus HIMSELF had corrected Peter more than once and in some pretty stern ways. His next bit of instruction was to trust the LORD in all your circumstances. Casting all your fear and anxiety on HIM, knowing that HE cares for you. Our focus point is verses 8, through 11. What Peter wants us to know is that there is never a time to let our guard down. Our adversary is the devil, and he is no chup. He is real, and his focus is to find a way to destroy you. He is looking for cracks in your armor. However, Peter gives us the key at the beginning of the verse. Be sober-minded. Knowing that there is an enemy and that his goal is to destroy the church is valuable. Resistance and awareness are part of how he is defeated. He makes us aware of his tactics and shows us that we are not the only ones that he has tried it on, Peter continues to explain the art of spiritual war. Knowing that others are suffering the same kind of experience. He keeps those who are going through it from feeling isolated. I love verses 10 and 11. That is where Peter gives us hope. Telling us that yes, we are or have suffered. But GOD sees all and knows all, and HE has not forgotten you, and HE will not leave you. Peter knew this all too well. After denying Christ three times right before HIS last breath. He was later restored and established on the shore by a campfire eating some fish with the man he saw nailed to a cross. Where Jesus asked him three times, Peter, do you love me? Peter himself knew the verses he was writing were true. Because he experienced them firsthand. He knew that verse 11 was not just something good to say but fact. GOD is was and always will be in control.
Application:
There was a book written years ago that I have heard a lot about and even mentioned a time or two here, called The Art of War. I have never read it because, honestly, the bible is the only book I have any interest in. I just like that title of it. From what I understand, this book explains what war looks like and gives the ideas and principles of gaining victory in war. One of the keys to this is knowing your enemy. I want there to be no mistake about the purpose behind this SOAP. We are in a war. We have a real enemy, and his purpose is to catch you off guard and destroy you. He is powerful, he is crafty, and he wants nothing more than to see you dead and/or suffering. Knowing this will allow you to stay ready. The armor of GOD is very valuable. Knowing you are in a real war is just as valuable. But if you know and are aware of the enemy and his tactics. You can see the attacks coming and be prepared for them. One of the first ways I want to inform you is this… I did a study on 2 words years ago. The words were POWER and AUTHORITY. What I wanted to see was the contrast between the 2. I believe it’s important. Because it can help us prepare for the war we are in. The word POWER means, in short, having the ability to do something. the word AUTHORITY means having the ability to do something and having the permission to do it as well. Let me explain why this is so important. Let’s look at the book of job for a second. At the beginning of the book, we see the devil having a conversation with GOD in heaven. He has been walking around on earth looking for someone to devour. He has been given the power to do so, but he had to go to GOD for the authority to do so. Yes, it’s true the enemy has power. But don’t let the roaring lion fool you without permission his roar is intimidating but useless. You see, in Matthew chapter 28, we see a transfer of authority. Jesus is getting ready to go to heaven. So his final instructions to his men had to be clear ALL AUTHORITY on heaven and earth has been given to me… therefore, GO makes disciples. Yes, this is marching orders. It’s our job. But the word GO is a little more than just that. It’s a transfer of authority… in short, yes, the enemy has been given power… BUT we have the authority. The same spirit that rose Christ from the dead lives in us. Knowing your enemy is valuable. Knowing the authority you have been given is priceless. Don’t let the roar intimidate you. You are a soldier in the army of the LORD. Don’t get caught slippen. Stay armored up and know the GOD you serve. He will establish you, and HE will restore you, and HE will uphold you with HIS mighty right hand. Stand in the victory you have been given. Jesus conquered death, hell, and the grave. And that same spirit lives in you. Stay awake and aware. The enemy is real. But if you know his tactics and stand in the authority you have been given. GOD has already established you.
Prayer:
Father, we know that you have given us your word to teach us about the war that we are in. We need no other book to do so. Help us to understand what you are telling us clearly. We do not want to be misled. We believe that you are with us, and because of that, no one can stand against us. We see that the battle belongs to you. However, the victory has already been won at the cross, and the authority to stand in that victory has been given to us. You want bold and courageous men and women to stand up and say, “NO MORE. You can not cause havoc in my life anymore.” we pray that you will give us that kind of courage. Help us to stay aware of the enemy and his tactics. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. Father, we just want to thank you. Because greater is HE who is in me than he who is in the world we love you and trust that the victory is already ours. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.