Scary Words

Those are some scary words!  Words that make the average person want to stop reading.  Okay, almost everyone, average or not, wants to cover their eyes and ignore those words.  I recently read a story about an ostrich that a lion was chasing.  The ostrich ran and ran, and then he found a beautifully deep hole in the ground made of rich, dark soil.  

He bent down and stuck his head in the hole.  It felt so calm, so safe, and so dark.  There, he stayed with his head in the hole.  It was only a little while before the lion caught up to him and devoured the poor ostrich.  Our first thought might be that the ostriches’ plan was so dumb and his death so unnecessary!  He had essentially given up all for the sake of a little comfort.  But if we reflect just a bit, we can catch a glimpse of the way so many of us live.  Hiding from the enemy of our soul by intentional ignorance.  

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  

1 Peter 5:8 NLT

Why are we so prone to hide ourselves from this scary reality and truth?  Because we don’t like the idea of having an enemy.  We want peace and a good life!  We want comfort!!  

But folks, regardless of our desire for peace and comfort, if we don’t get serious, we will get bit, and it will hurt us and those around us, too.

So, how can we change?  What does becoming serious look like?

1 Peter 5 gives some direction for church leaders but is also very pertinent to us.  This direction, if heeded, can change everything.!

1. Humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.

In other words, put aside your life’s itinerary for God’s.  Although comfort is something we want, we must let comfort and self-appeasement go for the good of God’s plan for our lives.  

2. Give God your worries and your cares.  

The word “give” is also translated as casting.  This verb means to throw your worries- away from you and onto God.  Throw your cares onto God BECAUSE he cares for you.  Let him carry all the worries and cares of this world.  Remember that God is merciful!  He is always present and attentive to his children and their needs. 

3. Stay alert-watch out for your enemy.

Stay alert!  Be vigilant!  Resist!  In other words, don’t be like the ostrich and stick your head in a comfortable dark hole.  When you hear the enemies’ roar, you need to recognize it for what it is.  And when you hear that roar, remember the enemy’s action plan for you is destruction and death! 

4. Stand firm in your faith. 

I love this directive because it doesn’t involve running like crazy or frantic activity but a firm, steady resolve—knowing that God is in control, so I don’t have to be!  Keep your eyes on the Master- he has his eyes on you!

5. Be strong in your faith.

How in the world do we do this?  We spend time with the One who is in control.  We get into the word and digest, memorize, and marinate in it.  We speak the truth about our situation and who is in charge.  We listen intently to the Holy Spirit and turn from anything, not of God.  And we press into Jesus with every breath we take!

6. Recognize that you are not in this fight alone—the family of believers worldwide suffers the same.

Lastly, but so significantly, we recognize we are in a great big family. When I lived in Paris, I met Christians from all over the world—instantly, we connected. Instantly, we banded together and supported each other. Knowing you are not alone is imperative, even when physically alone.  Hebrews 12:1 reminds us, “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” We are also part of a legacy of believers who have shown us the way.  So, remember that regardless of what you are going through, you belong to a tribe, a family! And that is GOOD NEWS.

Peter ends this section of 1 Peter 5 with these wonderfully encouraging words, “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”  1 Peter 5:10 NLT