I. A SURRENDERED PEOPLE
A. V. 5-6 WE MUST SURRENDER OUR WILL TO GOD – Peter quotes Proverbs 3:34 in verse 5, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” He says - "Clothe yourselves with Humility" literally means to "wear the apron of a slave". True humility before the Lord merely me assuming the place of a slave. In other words, I have no will but His will. I have no plan but His plan. I have no desire but His desire. “Humble yourselves, therefore under the mighty hand of God…” If we can learn the way of humility, then the Lord will lift us up in His own way… “that He may exalt you in due time.” As long as we seek to promote ourselves, we will never amount to much for the glory of God. However, when we turn loose of our lives and willingly place ourselves under His Hand, He will use us for His glory!
B. V. 7 WE MUST ALSO SURRENDER OUR WORRY TO GOD "Casting all your anxieties on Him" - This verb “casting” refers to the act of "throwing" something. It is in a form that refers to a one time deal. We are told here to "once for all, throw our burdens to Jesus!" HE CARES! When the worries of life press us down, we do not have to bear them alone! Notice how much of our burden we are supposed to give to the Lord. "All your care" He tells us to give Him everything! We are not so much as to keep even the smallest part of a burden to ourselves. We are told to give it all up to Jesus!
II. A SOBER PEOPLE
STRENGTHEN OUR WALK WITH GOD - We are told that we need to be "sober and vigilant". Be watchful means that we need to get serious about some things, especially where the devil is concerned. A. The Devil is Real - This verse refers to a being that most of the world does believe in this evening. However, just in case there is any confusion in your mind, the devil is real! Jesus believes in him, the Bible believes in him, God believes in him, therefore, he must be real! Here, he is called "Adversary". This word means, "An opponent, an enemy". He is also called "the devil". This name means "slanderer; or false accuser." This is the same one who attacked the character and name of old Job; Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-7. He is still the same old devil that he always was and he hates you and wants to see you fall. The sooner we come to realize the truth of Satan's reality, the sooner we will see the need to strengthen our walks with God. B. The Devil is Ferocious - The devil is compares to a "roaring lion" in this verse. - A mature lion's roar can be heard up to 5 miles away. Lions do most of their roaring at night. The reason they roar in the first place is to create fear in the hearts of those who hear them. This is just what the devil does too! He roars to create fear in the hearts of the Brotherhood. Because fear paralyzes faith! If the devil can get you to listen to his roar, he can keep you from hearing God's Word. - The good news about the devil is that he can be defeated by the Brotherhood! The secret to overcoming him is to "resist" him! This word means to "stand up against" the devil! Be steadfast in your faith, knowing that the Lord has already defeated the devil and that victory for the child of God is found in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, Revelations 12:9. Don't let him have your honor, your family, your life, Stand against him and see the victory! Learn the truth that if you will resist him, he will flee from you, James 4:7.
III. A SUFFERING PEOPLE
After you have suffered awhile! - If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: 2 Timothy 2:12 and I have come to remind the Brotherhood that after you have suffered awhile, Jesus will restore you, confirm you, strengthen you and establish you.
Jesus will RESTORE you - Philippians 1:6 Be confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Jesus will CONFIRM you the KJV says STABLISH you - Paul said in the close of his second letter 2 Thessalonians 3:3, “Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did with you and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not all have faith, BUT the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil!”
Jesus will STRENGTHEN you - Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Jesus will ESTABLISH you - Matthew 7:25 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded (for it was established) upon a rock. After you have suffered awhile you will be steadfast and unmovable! – I need you to know today that He will establish you upon a sure foundation.
Governments are shaky but the church is on a rock; Financial Systems are shaky but church is on a rock; Marriages are shaky but church is on a rock; School Systems are shaky but church is on a rock; Careers are shaky but the church is on a rock! The world will make you nervous, the world will try to unsettle you! BUT the Promise for the Children of God is that after you have suffered awhile, He will restore – confirm – strengthen – establish you!
