Holding on to Hope: 1 Peter 5:5-7
Tuesday, June 1
Holding on to Hope
Today’s reading: 1 Peter 5:5-7
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but give grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Earlier in his letter, Peter encouraged believers to be subject to the governing authorities (1 Peter 2:13-17); he told slaves to submit to their masters (1 Peter 2:18-25); and he told wives to submit to their husbands (1 Peter 3:1-7). In our scripture today, he commands younger members of the church to submit to their elders/leaders. And then he confronts everyone with the importance of being humble and provides instructions to “clothe yourselves with humility towards one another” It is humility that fosters trust and cooperation. It means everyone has a role or part to play.
When everyone seeks to use their gifts and talents for God’s glory, we advance the kingdom. Humility is the key to making all of that work. Humility allows us to work together in unity. It allows us to extend grace and forgiveness to one another. Peter compares the idea of humility with the consequence of pride (1 Peter 5:5). Pride wants to exalt itself to a godlike status. It wants to answer to no one but itself. But God opposes the proud because he hates the sin of pride (Proverbs 6:16-17).
The key to defeating pride in your life is to once again, clothe yourself with humility. Think of yourself less and submit to the Lord. Submission is really an act of faith. By submitting to God, we are trusting him to provide for us and bring about his divine purposes for our lives. He will exalt us. Warren Wiersbe states, “The key, of course, is the phrase “in due time.” God never exalts anyone until the person is ready for it. First the cross, then the crown; first the suffering, then the glory.”
God cares about us and wants to take care of our burdens. “When circumstances are difficult, it is easy for us to be anxious and worried, but if we are, we will miss God’s blessing and become poor witnesses to the lost. We need his inward peace if we are going to triumph in the fiery trial and bring glory to his name.”
We must once and for all give all of our cares to the Lord (vs. 7).
Jesus, You are our living hope! We are thankful for your promise that if we humble ourselves, you will exalt us in the proper time. We are forever grateful for how deeply you love us and care for us. We pray that each time a new burden arises we turn it over to you in faith…allowing you to have ALL our anxieties of the past, present and future. Let us glorify you in all our words and actions. We love you so much, our Creator, Savior, Lord, and Living Hope!
