1 Peter Chapter 5       (ESV)

 

Shepherd the Flock of God

¹ So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: ² shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; ³ not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. ⁵ 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 gives grace to the humble.”

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ⁷ casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. ⁸ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰ And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ¹¹ To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 

Reflection

1. It’s hard not to be anxious when we’re suffering. Leaving everything to God seems difficult indeed. But Peter said that suffering lasts only for a little while. God will restore you, and make you strong. And in His time, God will “restore,confirm, strengthen, and establish you”. Whatever today’s pain, we have the promise of strength, and the prospect of glory – forever.
2. Recall times that you have been especially aware that God cares for you. Did you feel easier to “cast” your anxieties on God then or during other times when His love didn’t seem so close? What causes these differences in feeling?
3. What anxieties do you still have? Read this passage again. Tell God your worries one by one and ask for His guidance and care.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.