Many believers today live under persecution. According to the Open Doors World Watch List, more than 380 million Christians are “subject to high levels of persecution and discrimination.” The early church understood well what it was like to live under a hostile government and culture.
As Peter approaches the close of his letter, he focuses on what was most important for the church to faithfully endure hardship. His answer may surprise you. He does not encourage organizing to resist hostile government authorities or publicly defending oneself against detractors. Instead, he warns against pride and anxiety (vv. 5–7). Pride and anxiety often go hand in hand. Pride demonstrates trust in yourself rather than God. One cause of anxiety is a belief that you must take care of yourself.
Instead, Peter challenges the church to “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (v. 5). Humility is a mark of spiritual maturity. While we tend to celebrate and lift up the gifted and the exceptional, God loves to exalt the humble (v. 6). This accords with God’s message to Israel: “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word” (Isa. 66:2).
There are a lot of reasons to be anxious, especially true when you could be jailed or put on trial for your faith. Peter does not say we don’t have any reason for anxiety. Instead, he calls us to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (v. 7). The verb here is quite vivid—we are to hurl our fears upon the Lord. We can do so because we can trust Him. Paul echoes this advice: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil. 4:6).
Go Deeper
How do pride and anxiety sometimes connect? What antidote do Peter and Paul suggest for when we feel anxious?
Pray with Us
We are afraid of so many things, but we trust in You, God. When fear grips us, please bring to mind your Word: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.1 Peter 5:6
DAILY DEVOTIONS, NEWS AND INFORMATION 