1Peter 5:6-10 ESV - 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 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.
“Don’t be afraid; the devil is just a toothless lion.” Though I understand the motive behind the sentiment, it’s not true. The devil has teeth; he is ruthless; he wants to devour. That’s why we are to be sober-minded and watchful. That’s why we must resist him, firm in our faith. We can’t resist him in our own strength (unlike a toothless, clawless lion).
My suffering is not unique. God knows what I need in every moment. He is with me in every moment. In His time, He will Himself (again, God does not ‘outsource’ me) —
restore -- katartizō ethically: to strengthen, perfect, complete, make one what he ought to be confirm -- stērizō to render constant, to confirm one's mind strengthen -- sthenoō to strengthen the soul establish -- themelioō to make stable, to ground your soul Psa 119:71, 75 ESV - 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. ... 75 I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
Pray for the Persecuted Church–OpenDoorsUSA
Day 2: Pray that Christians facing intense pressure to
renounce their faith will have the strength to hold onto
Jesus and trust Him for their futures.
Daily Wisdom Psalm 120-129 Proverbs 27
Plea for Grace 