We're Not Alone in This Journey - 1 Peter 5:6-14

Sometimes when I experience hard times, it feels as if I am alone and the only one experiencing this at the moment. Sometimes it is difficult to see beyond our current situation. Sometimes, we are just bogged down and struggle to reach the surface, but we have hope, which is in Christ.

We’re not alone in our sufferings. 


1 Peter 5:6-14
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.
¹² By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. ¹³ She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. ¹⁴ Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
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Peter is closing his first letter to the new Christians in Asia Minor. They are freshly newborn believers, and they are struggling. They are suffering for their new beliefs. However, throughout the letter, Peter continues to encourage them to press on and stand firm in Christ because they are called blessed. 

Peter reminds us to be humble because we are under the mighty hand of God. God’s hand is mighty. His mighty hand delivered Israel in Exodus. God resists the proud but lifts those who humbly submit to Him. Therefore, we need to cast aside our pride and all our anxieties. We need to cast them, throw them, or quickly get rid of them. We aren’t called to just lay them down gently. Throw them aside! When we worry or are anxious, it is a form of self-pride, meaning we are not completely entrusting these concerns to God. What is there to be anxious about when we put our lives into the mighty hand of God? He will direct our feet and lead us to His will for our lives. We need to continue to build and strengthen our relationship with Him because the devil is like a lion, waiting for the easy prey who let down their guard. It is through our faith and the continual seeking of the grace and love of God that we can remain steadfast. But, the devil may roar, but when we live steadfastly in Christ, the devil’s roar is empty noise. Because Christ defeated sin and death, the devil has no bite anymore and can’t sink his teeth into us. He is no match for us when we humbly submit to the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The devil is no match for the mighty hand of God. 

Peter tells us that we aren’t alone. Not only is the Lord of hosts with us and keeping us with HIs mighty hand, but Peter is letting us know that we aren’t the only ones experiencing struggles and going through trials. We are multiple entities that makeup one body in Christ. We aren’t isolated because we have each other. We can learn from other people’s trials and experiences while sharing how God has worked through our lives. Because, our suffering is only going to be for a little while. Christ will return soon. Our time here is minuscule compared to eternity with Christ. We are nothing to fear since God is Sovereign over all….everything…forever. 

Through all that we experience and go through in our lives, Peter encourages us to stand firm and remain faithful to the promises of God. God is full of grace, and we are called to partake in eternal glory with Him, forever. So, stand firm in the Good News and let the Holy Spirit guide our hearts. Let us continue to pour our love toward each other so that we may be in peace because of the abundance of love in Christ. When we struggle, we are not alone. Just reach out to your brothers and sisters in Christ and have humility through faith that God will lift you with His mighty hand.