Humble Yourselves by Casting Your Cares on Him

God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you. [1Peter 5:6-7 NET]

There is something humbling about prayer. In a sense, prayer is is an admission to ourselves that we are powerless and not in control. In this verse, Peter presents an image of one who has prostrated themselves before God releasing all of their worries and cares to Him. The image is humbling, heartfelt and helpful.

Prayer is a reflection of the One to whom we pray. We pray because we know He cares for us. We entrust our deepest pain to Jesus because we know that he understands. Hebrews puts it this way:
"For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help."
We pray because God cares about our cares. Jesus understands our struggles and is with us in them.

I am not in control. I choose to trust you Lord. I release all of my cares to you.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the epistles of Peter.
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Clothe Yourselves with Humility

And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. [1Peter 5:5 NET]

Is there a more expressive image of the spiritual life than a person who is clothed in humility? So what does it mean to put on humility? Perhaps it is good to recognize that clothing is visible to others and can take on many forms. In that respect humility is like clothing. Visible by actions. Varied by demeanor.

When one puts on humility they put on Christ, the humble king. They embrace his compassion for others. Like Jesus, their humility bleeds as red as the love of God. These who put on humility know God and who they are in Him. God is for such people. He daily empowers them with divine grace.

Teach me Lord. To reject the rags of pride. To choose the beautiful clothing of humility.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the epistles of Peter.
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Do not lord it over those entrusted to you.

Give a shepherd’s care to God’s flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God’s direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly. And do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock. [1Peter 5:2-3 ISV]

I have a memory of a pastor who, when I was young, told me that my job as a leader was to submit to his leadership. To the damage of my soul I said yes thinking that it was my responsibility to follow his leadership. I so want to point the finger at people like him who have lorded it over me. And yet.

I have learned that such people, those who demand loyalty, are the ones who least deserve it. Those who have earned it are the ones that, as Peter put it, give a shepherd's care to God’s flock. In truth, we all lead by influence. And the best way to lead is to influence by genuine love and care.

Lord, I pray for those who have been called to lead. Help them to be divine examples to your flock.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the epistles of Peter.
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Trial by Fire

Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you. [1Peter 4:12 NET]

When I think about fire I am reminded that there are things that cannot be burned up when exposed to a flame. Paper will burn. Wood will be turned to ash. Gold will be refined. It will be purified. It will be reshaped into something beautiful and useable. This is the image of one tried and tested by the fires of life.

In truth, life is meant to test us. Test our faith. Test our love. Refine us. Purify us. To make us like Jesus Christ. When fiery trials come they are meant to burn away every false thing in us. Like molten gold, these trials purify and reshape us into something beautiful. It is why we can rejoice when we are tried by fire.

To you we turn Lord. Like Daniel's friends, you are the one who stands with us in the fire.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the epistles of Peter.
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Stewards of God’s Grace

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. ... Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. [1Peter 4:10-11 ESV]

I think that we sometimes forget that God's grace ordinarily comes through human beings who have been transformed by the Holy Spirit. In that sense, we are stewards or agents of divine grace. Each day we are presented opportunities to sacrificially serve each other with our spiritual gifts.

To that end, as stewards of grace, we are called to love and serve with everything that is within us. Called to use any and every gift that we have been given. Helping gifts. Healing gifts. Gifts of time. Gifts of money. Gifts of friendship. All we have is His to use as we serve as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

Thank you Lord for the gifts you have given to us. Help us to be good stewards of them and your grace.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the epistles of Peter.
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Love Covers a Multitude of Sins

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other,
for love covers a multitude of sins. [1Peter 4:8 NLT]

I have found this verse to be one of the most practical ones when it comes to my daily living. Something rises up in me when people hurt me. My initial reaction is to reject them. To lash out. To hurt them back. Then something deeper rises up. It says let love cover their offense. Let good conquer evil.

As Jesus was being nailed to the cross he cried out forgiving those who were inflicting him pain. In truth that is our model of what love really looks like. Like Jesus we are called to a life of forgiving those who cause us pain and suffering. Like him we are called to show deep love and forgiveness for each other.

I am weak Lord. Teach me. Help me. To forgive. To cover the sins of those who hurt me with love.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the epistles of Peter.
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The end of all things is near.

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. [1Peter 4:7 NIV]

What comes to your mind when you read the first sentence of this quote? The end of the world or the end of your world? While it could mean either or both, lets interpret it to mean the end of your world. Death is a difficult thing to ponder. Most of us spend little time thinking about it much less doing anything about it.

Then there is the linkage of the second sentence to the first. Perhaps prayer is the correct reaction to the end of your world. Perhaps the only way to prepare for death is living life as a prayer. That said, I think most of us prefer to relegate prayer to a place and time thinking living life as a prayer might consume us.

Lord, help me to be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the epistles of Peter.
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