Scripture:
I Peter 5:5-11 NKJV
[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.
Observation:
Finding Jesus Christ in the pages of the Bible was GOD’S plan all along at the very beginning of time GOD saw fit to place a desire on the heart of Moses that would create the book that so many people would turn to in times of uncertainty and struggle. A book that would hold the very spirit of HIS one and only SON. The fact that it was written of a span of time that staggers the image is not the only miracle of its existence. Not only is it, after thousands of years, still a best seller but it’s still the only book in existence that was written by so many people that never knew of the other authors that would be involved in its composition. Men who would never meet in person would be part of writing a book that would house the revelation of the very son of GOD. The gospel of John explains it when it speaks of Jesus Christ as the very living word of GOD. Right now I just want to take a minute and thank GOD for giving us all the answers we would ever need. A road map on how to navigate a life that is confusing even to the wisest man to ever walk the earth. That being said this morning it wanted to continue on the topic we have been studying, spiritual warfare. It’s a topic that we can speak on for months through the pages of the Bible and never really exhaust. In fact the description of it starts at the very beginning of this book we all want to know more about. Right around chapter 3, in the book of Genesis. However, where we are this morning I found myself being brought to 1st Peter chapter 5 a book placed close to the end of the living word of GOD, but just because of its placement that should not detour us from paying attention to what it says. Peter has always been a bold individual. He stood up to the guard when they came to arrest the SAVIOR, to the point of cutting off the ear of one of the guards only to be rebuked for doing so. All the warnings and corrections that he received from Christ did something in his life. We can see that in the words he writes here. The first verse we look at today contains a word that most of us don’t like to even say let alone put into action. Now I know it’s referring to younger people as Peter begins to teach, but towards the end of the verse his thought is brought to completion. It’s a word that contains the very weapon to disarm the enemy. It’s also what Christ showed us on HIS approach to the cross. Submission…. It’s not always easy. Peter of all people knew that. He wanted to fight. He wanted to make a stand for the kingdom. I mean he was the rock right… or was Christ talking about the statement that was made by him rather than the meaning of his name. The word Submission is used a few times here in this short collection of verses. Although it’s only seen twice really. In verse 6 we see another variation of it. The phrase humble yourself. Submitting and humbling yourself seem to run hand in hand. So I want to tune into those statements. Looking at what is said I can see how it disarms whatever situation that may come. First submitting to one another, but ultimately submitting to the LORD. You see after all that Peter had seen and been through, he knew that it doesn’t matter what it looked like GOD was in control, HIS purpose would prevail and no one would stop that. Even in the face of death. Peter had seen the risen LORD, he sat on the shore and cooked fish with HIM as he was restored to the position Christ had in mind for him…. “Peter, do you love me, then feed my sheep.” After all that he saw how his emotions could be devastating to the kingdom. Humility and Submission had to be the cornerstone. It’s what he saw the risen SAVIOR do: staying sober-minded, not allowing his emotions to overrule his actions, would go further than reacting out of emotion. He saw how the enemy plays inside your feelings, and how He uses them against the kingdom prowling around waiting for you to not think clearly, so he can find that foothold. It’s deeper than how we feel. I love the way he puts it in verse 9, so simple yet so difficult, “Resist him,steadfast in your faith.” Peter knew that setting aside how you felt was more important than acting on it. That’s different from what society teaches. I’m sure you have heard someone along the way say something like follow your heart….. that’s not what the Bible teaches, in fact its opposite of it. The Bible says the heart is deceitful and wicked and who can know its ways. You can’t follow something that is wicked. Casting all your cares on GOD the one who created you. Is the key. Only HE knows HIS entire plan. As I bring this observation to a close. I can’t help but look at what is said in verses 10 and 11, “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. It’s all for HIS glory. As Peter swung the sword that cut the ear off because his emotions took over the whole time Christ was in a position of submission, surrender, and humility. That moment changed his life. That day on the shore when he was given another chance despite his flaws. He knew that something had to be done differently.
Application:
It really the enemy is waiting to control you through your emotions. It’s so easy to give into them. Especially when the pain of what has happened is so real and right in your face. It’s almost intoxicating. Satan knows that, but so does our LORD, HE was faced with emotions as well, HE is human just like us. Born of a virgin HE was human. I can’t tell you how many times I have let my emotions get me into situations that cost me more than it was willing to pay. What I can tell you is it hurts, and the enemy doesn’t care about your pain, in fact he just sits back after its all said and done right there next to the Father saying….”and you say that one is your son or daughter” the accuser of the brethren is one of his names. He can’t wait to point a finger at you. Submission takes all that away. Sure it’s probably going to hurt, but look at what Christ went through. Whatever you are facing is nothing like that. Swallowing pride and stepping into the will of the Father comes with some suffering, but it’s only for a time. At some point it will be over and you will be stronger. Not one person is going to get out of this without some kind of suffering. That’s what the bible teaches. But GOD has a plan inside of that. It’s the suffering that draws you close to HIM. I don’t know anyone who has come to Christ because their life was great, they had no worries and had been through nothing. The strongest soldiers I know have battle scars all over their skin. They are in the form of many things, some are actually scars, some are tattoos, and some are hidden deep within their heart. Just because they can’t be seen doesn’t make them less important. GOD shapes us through the things we face. HE shows us how to love by showing us how HE loves. Even when we think we know better than HE does, HE restores us on the sea shore over a campfire by asking if we love HIM. there is nothing that HE can not overcome. Submitting to HIM and resisting the temptation to allow our emotions to overtake us will change the game. I have to admit it’s not something I have perfected yet but I hope at some point to be better at it. This much I know… in heaven there are no more tears…. So come LORD Jesus come.
Prayer:
Father, we know that you are not done with us. We know that the war is real. But there is nothing you don’t see. Everything we face you will bring some kind of good out of. You have called us to higher ground. We belong to you. Our lives have been bought with a price, and although we may be going through things here on earth, we know that we can take heart because you have overcome the world. Help us to learn to make our decisions based on what your word says. Give us the spiritual insight to see the schemes of the enemy so that we do not give into his games. We want to know your truth so when he starts I. With his lies we can see them. We stand in faith that you are building us into the soldiers you need to fight a battle that you have already won. We surrender to your will. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.