Devotion 5.16.26

1 Peter 5

"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."

Peter, as his life nears the end, gives some final reminders in his closing remarks in his letter. Suffering is clearly a part of life and clearly part of confessing a faith in Christ. Be firm, and know that Satan is real and that people throughout the world suffer because Satan seeks to separate us from God. Be on guard and turn to Christ, who strengthens us daily until we join him in eternity.

Dana Carvey had a great and memorable character on "Saturday Night Live" known as "Church Lady." His voice and facial expressions were on target as a "holier than thou woman" who sat in judgement from her perch and based every comment on her view of faith and the world. Ultimately, she would ask, "Is it Satan?"

It helps in life to not take ourselves so seriously to the point that we can't stop and laugh something we've done. That's true in general and in whatever role your life finds you in. As people of faith, a sense of humor is certainly an asset. It does leave us open, on the other hand, and lull us into forgetting that Satan is an opponent that truly will stop at nothing to declare victory in his war against our flesh as he seeks to destroy and devour.

Peter, one of the main apostles, can certainly testify to the temptations from Satan. His well known, the denial of Christ after his arrest, is certainly in scripture for a reason. Peter was no different than Judas in his actions of betrayal, but he did turn to Christ, unlike Judas, and receive forgiveness after his resurrection.

He tells us to be of sober-mind (twice in his letter). Sober in thought means not just drinking too much, but instead being clear-headed enough to not fool myself with my own thoughts that I can take this opponent on by myself.

Nonsense! Peter is telling us. Resist him, turn him away (as Luther notes) in the name of Christ Jesus. It is funny, but it is also serious business. Peter is telling us that today, and he has learned it from his own actions as well as from the actions of others. Be alert!

Pray with me: Gracious God, It seems like we are inundated with stuff these days that can distract us from you and take us away from you. Help us to see through all of this and worship you alone. Protect me morning, noon, and night, and help me to see the dangers and turn to you when they arise. In Christ's name, Amen.

Hope Men's Ministry is a ministry in service to Hope Lutheran Church and School. Our purpose is to grow, unite, and share God's Word to all men through meaningful activities. These activities center on fellowship, service, conversation, prayer, study and devotion as we seek to become men of God as He created us to be.