Daily Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-10
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your fellow believers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
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Reflection Questions:
Early Christian believers often faced persecution from the Roman government, alienation from their families and economic hardship. Peter was convinced that God didn’t cause these hardships; more, that God was still present and working for good even when believers suffered.
- When facing problems or tragedies, are you able to keep trusting that God cares for you? How does Peter’s confidence, facing difficulties more severe than most of us will ever face, speak to your heart?
- Like his master Jesus, Peter attributes the sufferings that believers face, not to God, but to the power of evil. How does his contrast between suffering “for a little while” and God’s call to eternal glory in Christ invite you to rethink and deepen the way you relate to life’s sad times?
Read insights and reflections from today’s passage by our pastors at gpsinsights.wordpress.com
Weekly Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you said you are “the living water,” “the bread of life,” and “the light of the world.” You said you came so we can have life, life lived to the fullest. But in this broken world, pain and evil hurt me and people I care about. Help me not to blame you for the bad stuff, and to learn to trust that you are always with me, leading me to light and life. Amen.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.
