Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. ~ 1 Peter 5:6-11
This short passage covers a lot of territory—much of it the opposite of our sinful human nature. We prefer to exalt ourselves rather than humble ourselves. We worry and fret rather than give all our cares to the Lord. Many of us don’t take the devil seriously enough, and probably none of us like the idea of suffering. However, there is good—wonderful—news: we can resist the devil, and like our brothers and sisters in faith, God Himself will lead us through our trials to eternal glory.
Thank You, Lord God, that You are with me throughout every difficulty I face. I can lean on You, and You will support and strengthen me. The sufferings I experience in this life cannot compare to the glory that You have in store for me and all believers. Your grace is boundless—may my gratitude and love for You be equally boundless. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.