A Doxology
Opening Prayer
Lord, be center in my life, in my heart, in my words and in my actions Lord. My entire being worships You.
Read 1 PETER 5:8-14
[8] Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. [10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. [11] To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. [12] With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. [13] She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. [14] Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How is the devil pictured? Why?Today’s reading continues Saturday’s reading. Peter writes to the leaders advocating servant leadership (1), then to the young men emphasizing submission (5a). Finally he urges all of us (5) to put on humility and throw our anxieties onto God, and to be self-controlled and alert (8). These are the disciplines of the Christ-like life, especially as we are living in a hostile world (9b), with an enemy who wants to swallow us up (8).But it’s only for a little while, Peter reminds them (10). Remember what the future holds–there are glories in store, as the earliest part of the letter explained (1:3,4). An inheritance awaits believers. So Peter ends his letter with a “doxology” of praise to God (11). William Barclay pointed out that the motto of the great Benedictine Order of monks was four letters–IOGD–which stand for the Latin words in omnibus glorificetur Deus (“in order that in all things God may be glorified”). He writes: “A new grace and glory would enter the Church, if all church people ceased doing things for themselves and did them for God” (The New Daily Study Bible: The Letters of James and Peter, 2003, pp. 296-297).
Apply
How might your daily living be a doxology of praise to God? Decide to live this out.
Closing prayer
Lord, remind me that I need only to rest in You, to move when You say move and to allow You to live in me.
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