11/2/25 - Under the Mighty Hand - 1 Peter 5:8-14 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This Sunday, we conclude our study of 1 Peter, where he ends with the most fitting exhortation once again: be humble and entrust yourself to God’s care. Humility is the key to a healthy church because without it, unity suffers, and without unity, the world sees us as just another divided, ineffective group.  Pride separates, but humility recognizes our need for one another. As we discussed last Sunday, Jesus Himself set the ultimate example, humbling Himself even to death, and the more we imitate Him, the stronger our unity becomes. True humility isn’t thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less. It is prioritizing others, submitting, forgiving, and living selflessly. Peter moves from humility to trust, urging us to place our anxieties upon God because He is sovereign. This is a reminder that God is in control of all things, and we can pause in our stress, disappointment, or conflict and hand over our burdens. The call is to make your anxiety God’s problem. But trusting God also means recognizing the reality of opposition: the devil prowls like a roaring lion, claiming territory and seeking to devour. We are called to resist him, firm in our faith, using the armor God provides. Finally, Peter reminds us that suffering is temporary in light of eternity. After we endure trials, the God of all grace will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. We see this fulfilled in the life of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who, even while being stoned, prayed for his enemies and witnessed Christ ready to receive him. The message is clear: faithful endurance glorifies God, strengthens His church, and secures eternal reward. Let us humbly depend on Him, stand firm in faith, and encourage one another until He calls us home.