Humble Yourself Under God’s Hand

Introduction

Today we are going to look at a letter written by the apostle Peter to encourage persecuted Christians in Asia Minor. The main theme of the letter is to stand firm in the grace of God and endure suffering for Christ’s sake. Today we find ourselves in 1 Peter 5:5-11, where Peter gives us some practical instructions on how to live as humble followers of Jesus in a hostile world. Let us read the text together:

1 Peter 5:5–11 NKJV

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 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. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

There are three main points that I want to draw out of this text. The first point is found in verses 5-6.

Humility is the key to submission and unity (verses 5-6)

First off, what exactly is humility?

Well, let me ask you this: does the Bible give us a definition of what humility looks like? Yes, it does. In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul writes:

Philippians 2:3–4 NKJV

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Humility is the opposite of pride and selfishness.

It is having a lowly and realistic view of ourselves and a high and respectful view of others.

It is putting others before ourselves and seeking their good rather than our own glory.

Why is humility so important for Christians?

Because humility is the key to submission and unity.

Peter tells us to submit ourselves to our elders, who are the spiritual leaders and teachers in the church.

He also tells us to be submissive to one another, which means to respect and serve each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.

He says that we should be clothed with humility, which means that humility should be our attitude and our action.

Why should we do this?

Because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Pride is an attitude that exalts ourselves above God and others. It is a sin that God hates and opposes. Pride causes division, strife, and resistance to God’s plan. Proverbs 3:34 says:

Proverbs 3:34 NKJV

34 Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.

The second point is found in verses 6-7.

Humility is the way to receive God’s grace and care (verses 6-7)

Humility not only enables us to submit to God’s authority and will but also to depend on His power and provision in our lives. Part of that provision involves His grace and care.

Grace is God’s undeserved favor. It is what we need to be saved and sanctified. It is what we need to grow and serve in God’s kingdom.

Grace is what God gives to those who humble themselves before Him and acknowledge their need for Him.

Therefore, Peter says that we should humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.

This means that we should recognize God’s authority and power over our lives and submit to His will and purpose for us.

Peter says that God will exalt us in due time, which means that God will reward us and honor us at the right time according to His plan.

Humility leads us to cast all our anxieties/cares on God, knowing that He cares for us and will lift us up in due time.

What are anxieties?

Anxieties are worries or fears about what might happen or what might go wrong in our lives or in the world around us.

Anxieties can rob us of our faith, peace, and joy.

Anxieties can make us doubt God’s goodness and faithfulness.

How can we overcome anxieties?

By casting them on God.

Casting means to throw or to release.

It means to let go of our anxieties and give them to God.

It means to stop trying to control or fix everything by ourselves and trust God to handle it for us.

Why can we do this?

Because God cares for us.

God is not indifferent or distant from our troubles.

He is not unaware or unconcerned about our needs.

He is our loving Father who knows us and loves us.

He is our faithful Shepherd who guides us and protects us.

He is our powerful Creator who sustains us and provides for us.

Peter says that we should cast all our care upon Him, which means that we should not hold back or keep any worry or fear to ourselves.

We should give everything to God, no matter how big or small, how personal or public, how urgent or long-term it is.

We should give God our health, our family, our work, our finances, our relationships, our ministry, our future, and everything else that concerns us.

How can we do this?

By praying to God and telling Him what we are anxious about.

By thanking God for what He has done and what He will do for us.

By asking God for what we need and what we desire according to His will.

By trusting God for His answer and His action in His time and His way.

What will happen when we do this?

God will give us His grace and care.

He will give us His peace and joy.

He will give us His strength and wisdom.

He will give us His provision and protection.

He will give us His comfort and encouragement.

He will give us His hope and assurance.

The third and last point for this morning is found in verses 8-11.

Humility is the weapon to resist the devil and stand firm in the faith (verses 8-11)

Humility not only helps us to receive God’s grace and care but also to resist the devil and stand firm in the faith.

Humility enables us to be alert and sober-minded, aware of the schemes and attacks of the devil who seeks to destroy us.

Who is the devil?

The devil is a fallen angel who rebelled against God and became the leader of evil spirits who oppose God and His people.

The devil is also called Satan, which means adversary or enemy.

The devil is a liar, a murderer, a deceiver, an accuser, a tempter, a destroyer.

What does the devil do?

The devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

This means that the devil prowls around looking for someone to attack and devour.

This means that the devil tries to harm and destroy us physically, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally.

The devil does this by lying to us, accusing us, deceiving us, tempting us, oppressing us, and persecuting us.

How can we resist the devil?

By being sober and vigilant.

This means that we should be clear-minded and self-controlled, not influenced by sin or worldly passions.

It also means that we should be watchful and alert, not ignorant or careless of the devil’s schemes and tactics.

How can we stand firm in the faith?

By resisting the devil steadfast in the faith.

This means that we should not give in or give up to the devil’s attacks, but rather oppose him and fight back with the truth and power of God.

It also means that we should not lose or compromise our faith, but rather hold on to it and grow in it with the grace and help of God.

Why should we do this?

Because we are not alone in our sufferings and because God will restore us after we have endured.

Peter tells us that the same sufferings are experienced by our brotherhood in the world.

This means that we are part of a global family of believers who share the same trials and tribulations for Christ’s sake.

We are not isolated or abandoned, but rather connected and supported by our fellow Christians who pray for us and encourage us.

Peter also tells us that the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us after we have suffered a while.

This means that God has a purpose and a plan for our sufferings.

He uses them to refine us, to confirm us, to empower us, and to secure us in His love and salvation.

He also has a promise and a reward for our sufferings.

He will bring us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, where there will be no more pain or sorrow or death.

Conclusion

Let me summarize what we have learned from 1 Peter 5:5-11:

Humility is the key to submission and unity (verses 5-6)

Humility is the way to receive God’s grace and care (verses 6-7)

Humility is the weapon to resist the devil and stand firm in the faith (verses 8-11)

The main application for us today is this: Humble yourself under God’s hand and He will exalt you in due time.

Now I want to invite you to respond to God’s word by doing three things:

Confess your sins and ask for God’s forgiveness and grace. If you have been proud, rebellious, or selfish, admit it to God and repent. If you have been anxious, fearful, or doubtful, confess it to God and receive His peace. If you have been tempted, oppressed, or persecuted, acknowledge it to God and ask for His help.

Cast your cares on God and trust Him to take care of you. Whatever is troubling you or worrying you today, give it to God and let Him handle it for you. Whatever you need or desire today, ask God for it and trust Him to provide it for you. Whatever you hope or dream for today, seek God’s will for it and trust Him to fulfill it for you.

Commit to resist the devil and stand firm in the faith. Whatever lies or accusations the devil throws at you today, reject them and believe the truth of God. Whatever deceptions or temptations the devil offers you today, expose them and follow the way of God. Whatever oppressions or persecutions the devil inflicts on you today, endure them and rejoice in the grace of God.

Let us pray together:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your word that teaches us how to live as humble followers of Jesus in a hostile world. We confess our sins and ask for Your forgiveness and grace. We cast our cares on You and trust You to take care of us. We commit to resist the devil and stand firm in the faith. We praise You for Your love and salvation that You have given us through Your Son Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.