1 Peter 5:6-11
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.
We are in a battle, and to win a fight, you have to be ready. Verse 8 warns us that "your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour". Our enemy wants to destroy us. This is not a game where we can laugh off a defeat. This is serious business, and it requires a serious readiness to fight. I often find that I can resist temptation when I am ready for it, but too often I let my guard down, get over-confident, and then put up no defense when it unexpectedly hits. That is why we need to "be sober-minded" and "watchful" (verse 8), so that we can "resist" and stand "firm in your faith" (verse 9).
Lord, help me to be watchful and ready to serve You at all times.
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.
We are in a battle, and to win a fight, you have to be ready. Verse 8 warns us that "your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour". Our enemy wants to destroy us. This is not a game where we can laugh off a defeat. This is serious business, and it requires a serious readiness to fight. I often find that I can resist temptation when I am ready for it, but too often I let my guard down, get over-confident, and then put up no defense when it unexpectedly hits. That is why we need to "be sober-minded" and "watchful" (verse 8), so that we can "resist" and stand "firm in your faith" (verse 9).
Lord, help me to be watchful and ready to serve You at all times.