Humble and Victorious

I love reading the letters of Peter for so many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that he touched Jesus, ate with him, and slept beside him (Peter was married, but the disciples went with Jesus on trips around Galilee and to Jerusalem.) Peter heard Jesus' teaching with his own ears, saw him crucified, and saw him after the resurrection. When he wrote his letters, he was an elder, meaning he was mature in years, yes, but specifically a leader in the church. Today's study is from 1 Peter 5: 1 - 11 (NIV):
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Peter writes to the church leaders and urges them to lead by example. Our actions speak so much louder than our words. We can say all of the right things, but it's the way we behave that shows what we truly believe. Church leaders should not be power-hungry or greedy, but instead, should have a servant's heart, wanting to help others. Peter could still remember Jesus telling him to "feed his sheep", and he's urging all church leaders to do the same. Our example? None other than the Chief Shepherd himself. (And Jesus died for his sheep!)
But even if we are not an official leader in our church, Peter has great words of advice and encouragement for us. He pleads with us to be humble. This is the one trait we must possess to be used of God. He cannot use people who are full of pride. (In this case, a proud person is one who looks down his nose at other people and says, "I'm doing it my way and I don't care what God wants.")
A humble person is submissive to authority. He respects and listens to people who are more mature. A humble person doesn't think he has all the answers. He puts others first, loves people, and realizes that we're all in this together.
Now for one of my favorite verses. A great memory verse. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." Notice this verse follows his reminding us to be humble. A proud person says he doesn't need God, but a humble person gives God all of his cares, worries and anxiety. A humble person knows he needs God and cries out to him. Go ahead, cry out to God, he loves you more than you can imagine. He is crazy about you!
And while you are at it, ask God for help defeating your enemy the devil. The devil is real - he is our enemy and he is seeking someone to devour. He will steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10). He is like a lion on the prowl. Please don't try to outsmart him - you aren't smart enough to outwit an angelic being. Don't ignore him or pretend he doesn't exist. He will destroy you, but he is a defeated enemy and he knows it. How do we beat him? Peter says to resist him, standing firm in the faith. Paul says to put on "your armor" (Ephesians 6). We defeat him with God's power, not ours. We beat him by resisting his lies and standing firm in our faith.
Peter ends this passage on a wonderfully encouraging note. We may have to suffer for a time, but one day, God is going to lift us up and make us strong. He is going to restore us and give us a crown of glory that will never fade away. Stand firm, be humble, and hang in there!