Who Has Control? - June 22nd, 2011

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:6-11

History and Context:

1 Peter 1:1 says, "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia". From this we get the author of the letter, Peter, and the recipients of the letter, those dispersed among the five provinces of Asia minor. The author doesn't specifically say whether he is speaking to the jews in those areas or the Gentiles. Peter was a man known for his passion and not always for his control. He was one of the inner three of Jesus' disciples. One of three to experience the transfiguration (Matthew 17), and one of three to be brought further in the Garden of Gethsemene (Matthew 26:37).

The Text:

This passage is the conclusion of Peter's first letter included in the Bible. They are his final words and he begins by saying, 'be humble, cast all your worries on the Lord'. To be humble means to understand that we cannot control everything. When we are constantly worrying about things, we are trying to control everything on our own. Peter says to show our humility by recognizing that everything is under God's control, and letting go of everything we worry about. But, even though we are to let go of our cares, we must still be vigilant! Peter is showing us a balance that we need to have in our lives. On one side, we need to understand that God is ultimately in control and allow Him to take our cares and worries, but on the other hand we cannot go through life with the attitude of "God will take care of it, so I don't have to do anything." We need to be watchful, we need to keep an eye out for the temptation and trials which will come.

The Challenge:

There are two challenges in this verse, but I believe that, for us today, the first one is the one God is giving us. Be humble! But not just that, humble your self in HIS hand. As noted before, this means that we understand that we are not in control. Stop trying to be in control, and let Him take control. As I am writing this God is speaking to me. There are many areas in my life in which I have been trying to take control. Of course these very areas are the ones that are causing me worry, stress, and even confusion and I simply need to let them go. It is not about me and it is not about you. It is about Him! Let Him take control! Your life will be better for it.

The Prayer:

Lord, take complete control of my life!