1 Peter 5
Ecclesiastes 9
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
There are a few familiar verses in 1 Peter 5. Peter gives a number of short and to the point sets of advice in this chapter.
- Advice to elders/leaders that they serve out of a willingness to serve but should not do so for personal gain or their own glory but for the glory of God. Humility should be a key personality trait of elders, as well a characteristic of those who fall under the elders.
- Our first place to go to when we are anxious or worried is to turn to God. (Paul highlights the same in Philippians 4 that when we are anxious we should turn to God in prayer). Our dependence is upon Him because God created us; God has a plan and purpose for our lives; God has shown His love for us in Jesus purchasing our salvation; God loves us more than we can ever imagine and, as Peter has indicated in previous chapters, our suffering should be expected. We should go through our suffering in the knowledge that God is with us and that as Jesus experienced personal suffering more than we can imagine, we should follow Jesus’ example.
- We need to be aware of the devil’s schemes to trap and entice us into sin, and turn away from God. Satan is the deceiver who is actively looking for victims. Our defence is to trust in the Lord and stand firm in our faith, knowing that Jesus is already victorious. We should also remember that we are not alone and that many saints have experienced similar trials and temptations.
- We have a great prize to look forward to, an eternity together with Christ. These words of restoration are familiar to the words that Jesus spoke to Peter, viz. that Satan will sift all of Peter the same way that wheat is sifted, but that Peter will be stronger after the trial.