1 Peter 5:1-14
Saturday, 10 September 2022
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. -1Peter 5:10
Apostle Peter introduces himself as a fellow elder, a witness of the sufferings of Christ and a partaker of the glory (V.1). In his first letter, the focus is to exhort believers to stand true in all kinds of sufferings and to set forth the true grace of God. Suffering according to the Lord’s will as part of a genuine Christian life and its rewards, gets attention in this letter. When Apostle Peter wrote this letter, many were undergoing tremendous sufferings, troubles, many were persecuted and gave their lives for the cause of their faith. All this occurred to them because they called themselves “Christians.” They were prepared to face suffering because Christ their Master showed a model/example to follow in His footsteps. From that time till today, many believers have gone through similar suffering because of their faith. Looking into the word of God, we can see several examples of suffering in the life of God’s children.
In the Key verse, Apostle Peter reminds the believer that the suffering in this world is just for a little while and the blessing that follows is greater! By His grace He called us to partake in His eternal glory in Jesus Christ. Also all these sufferings lead to the perfection, establishing our faith, strengthening our spiritual life and laying a strong foundation. When troubles and sufferings are growing greater in these days, the hope and the reward which God has kept for us, gives great Hope of our Christian walk.
Besides, in today’s reading, Apostle Peter specifically exhorts Pastors/Elders and all Christians about our daily Christian walk and its blessings. The following practical instructions when applied, will surely bring the blessing has God kept for us.
Let’s look into them:
Counsel to the Pastors/Elders (Vs.2-3)
Feed the flock of God.
Take oversight of the flock of God.
Serve God and His flock willingly.
Serve readily.
Do not serve for personal gain.
Do not lord it over those entrusted to your care
Be Examples to the flock.
The blessing/reward of the faithful serving is: when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory (V.4).
Counsel to all Christians (Vs.5-9)
Younger to submit to the elder
All submit to one another, clothed with humility.
Humble ourselves to God. (So that when we do this, He may exalt us at the proper time-v.6)
Cast all your anxieties on Him (because He cares for us)
Be sober-minded
Be vigilant/Watchful
Resist Satan/enemy in faith.
The above two sections are interconnected, everyone has responsibilities and no one can be excused. When we fulfil our part with great humility, depending on the grace of God, surely we will accomplish the great purpose of the Lord through our lives.
As Jesus foretold, prophecies are being fulfilled and we are witnessing that the suffering and persecutions are dramatically increasing all over the world—all signs of His Second Coming. All the world may seem worried at things that happen around them but great is the hope and the reward that awaits a child of God.
Let us also remember:
This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.
(2 Timothy 2:11-13 NLT)
Thought for the Day: "God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile" - Max Lucado