Scripture

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Observation

Peter admonishes us to stay alert and to be on the lookout for satan, the enemy of our souls. He is always prowling around looking for someone to devour. We must stay in firm against the evil one and be strong in our faith.

Our christian brothers and sisters are suffering as well. We will share in God’s eternal glory, so our suffering only lasts for a while.

Peter concludes the letter by commending his friend Silas to his readers. He also sends greetings from his church and from Mark.

Application

We must be constantly alert for the attacks of the devil. He hates us with a passion and is always, looking to destroy us. Many christians live in ignorance of the spiritual realm. This is a huge folly. Just because we cannot see angels and demons with our physical eyes does not make them any less real.

Satan holds people in bondage in various ways, including:

1. Temptation to sin. He does not bother with unbelievers because they are already in captivity to sin. In Christians he amplifies natural desires and fleshly thoughts, If we sin, he thinks we will become discouraged in following the way of holiness.

2. Demonic afflictions such as sickness, poverty, and mental illness.

3. Witchcraft, magic, spells, and curses. Spoken words can carry great effect in the world of the spirit.

So, we need to remember that we are in the middle of a war. The devil will not give up on pulling us down. But as we grow in faith, we can increasingly resist him to stand firm in Christ.

Prayer

Thank you. Lord, for the assurance that the battle belongs to you Teach me how to stand firm In my faith. Amen

Scripture
Humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time, he will lift you up in honour. Give all your worries and cares to God for, he cares for you.

Observation
The elders in the church will share in the glory of Christ when he is revealed to the whole world. They are to care for their flock willingly not grudgingly. Not for their own gain, but because they want to serve God,

Elders are to lead by example and not lord it over their people. When the Great Shepherd appears, they will receive a crown of glory and honour.

Young men are to accept the authority of the elders. They must serve each other in humility. When they humble themselves under God’s mighty power He will raise them up at the right time.

Application
Humility is all about serving and respecting others. This can be a very hard quality for us to learn, especially in a culture that tries to tell us that we are all gods and worthy of the respect of others.

We must not raise ourselves up in the eyes of others and certainly not in our own eyes. Once we start to think we are better than other people, we lose the plot of Christian living.

The way up is down. It is when we choose to serve others without any thought of reward that we start to follow the way of the Lord who told us that the Son of Man came not to be served but to give His life as a ransom for many.

We choose to die to our own ambitions and desires so that the plans of Christ can be revealed to us. When we humble ourselves under the power of God, we can be sure that He will raise us up to a place of honour.

Prayer
Lord, you call me to die to myself. Please help me to do this so that I can come alive to you. Amen.