Our scripture this morning is 1 Peter 5:6-9.
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
What can we do when the weight of our responsibility and worry threaten to overpower us? Peter teaches us to “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you”. Giving it up to God doesn’t mean giving up, it is placing our faith in the One who created us rather than ourselves.
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take”. Asking God for His wisdom and strength is a mark of spiritual maturity. We know that we can’t stand alone against the enemy who “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour”.
God knows us better than we know ourselves and He is fully aware of our weaknesses. When we try to go it alone against evil we are risking our eternal lives. Peter knew what it was to face evil alone and when challenged, he crumbled. Without God, we all would fail as he did. Give your cares to Him and He will stand with you.
Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we have tried on our own and failed. May we give up our willful weakness and live in the strength You promise us. Amen.
