Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)
Read: 1 Peter 5:1-14
Consider: Peter’s first letter was written to a group of churches that were in several Roman provinces of what is now modern-day Turkey. His purpose in writing was to encourage the believers as they faced persecution for their faith. Peter also exhorted the believers to live godly lives in the midst of a godless society.
In today’s reading Peter speaks first to the elders (leaders) and encourages them to lead by example when he says: ‘… be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock’ (1 Peter 5:2-3). Peter uses the analogy of the shepherd to convey to the elders how they are to protect and feed the flock, allowing their lives to be an example to those under their care. Notice that while the elders are called shepherds, they are really under-shepherds answerable to the Chief Shepherd, who is Jesus Christ. Problems can arise in any church where the pastor or elders have forgotten to whom they are answerable. Problems can also arise if a church is treated as a business, rather than as a place where God’s flock can be nurtured and encouraged to grow in their faith.
Next Peter turns his attention to the younger believers, telling them to submit to the leadership, but also to show humility towards one another (5:5). By using the words: ‘In the same way …’ (5:5), Peter is using the example of the elders submitting to Christ, as the model for the believers submitting to their elders. Notice also that Peter asks the believers to: ‘… clothe yourselves with humility towards one another …’ (5:5). Can you see that the church of Christ should be characterised by humility at all levels – leaders and elders to Christ, believers to leaders and elders, believers to each other. When speaking about the freedom we have in Christ, the apostle Paul says: No-one should seek their own good, but the good of others (1 Corinthians 10:24).
Peter continues with the theme of humility when he says: Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time (1 Peter 5:6). Our motive for showing humility to God should be similar to the shepherd and the flock mentioned earlier in the chapter: ‘… not because you must, but because you are willing …’ (5:2). True humility before God is therefore an act of the will, not something we are forced to do. The words ‘… God’s mighty hand …’ is an expression used in the Old Testament as a symbol of God’s power and sovereignty. It also recognises that it is God alone who has the power and authority to change our circumstances. The words ‘ … in due time …’ refer to God’s timing and not when we think something should happen. In essence, we are to submit to God’s will and also to his timing.
Pray: Father, forgive us when we are impatient, expecting you to fit in with our plans and schedule. May we truly humble ourselves to your will, recognising that your timing is far superior to ours. Amen
Every blessing
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