1 Peter 5:8 ~ Daily Devotion June 12 2023

1 Peter 5:8 Devotional (Daily Bible Verse)

Be alert and of sober mind

In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter finalized his teaching and exhortation on the subject of suffering with the words: “Be alert and of sober mind“. And he added that his exhortation was motivated by the fact that “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 4:12-5:11

Persecution and/or suffering is a test and participation in the sufferings of Christ

Peter taught and exhorted the group of Christians that was scattered throughout the northern areas of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) in 1 Peter 4:12-5:11. He taught them not to be surprised at the persecution and/or suffering that they were experiencing. This is because their persecution and/or suffering was both a test and a participation in the sufferings of Christ, which would grant them joy at the revelation of His glory (1 Peter 4:12-13).

You, therefore, ought not to wonder when you experience persecution and/or suffering. This is because persecution and/or suffering is both a test and a participation in the sufferings of Christ, for which they will be rewarded with joy when His glory will be revealed.

To suffer is to be blessed and something to praise God about

The apostle then added that they were blessed because of the insults they had received in Christ’s name (1 Peter 4:14). He, therefore, told them to praise God rather than be ashamed of Christ’s name when they suffered (1 Peter 4:15-16).

Consequently, when you suffer in Christ’s name, you are blessed. You ought to praise God rather than be ashamed when you suffer.

Suffering according to God’s will

Christ’s disciple then exhorted the readers of his first letter to suffer according to God’s will by committing themselves to Him and continuing to do good because judgment begins with God’s household (1 Peter 4:17-19). Therefore, elders were to willingly watch over God’s flock, serve eagerly, and be examples to them so that they would receive the crown of glory when Jesus will appear (1 Peter 5:1-4). The young ones were to submit to their elders (1 Peter 5:5a). And then all of them were to humble themselves to each other, because God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble, and to humble themselves under God, that He would lift them up in due time (1 Peter 5:5b-6).

Consequently, you ought to commit yourself to God and continue to do good when you undergo suffering because this is God’s will for you in persecution and/or suffering.

In addition, Peter exhorted them to cast all their anxiety on God because He cared for them (1 Peter 5:7).

Be alert and of sober mind

Finally, apostle Peter exhorted his audience to be alert and of sober mind because their enemy the devil was prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). So he further exhorted them to resist the devil by standing firm in the faith because their fellow believers were being persecuted and/or suffering as they were (1 Peter 5:9). And God would restore and strengthen them, and make them stand firm and be steadfast after they’d suffered for a little while (1 Peter 5:10-11).

So, you need to be alert and sober with regard to the subject of persecution and/or suffering. This is how you will remember that persecution and/or suffering is a test and participation in the sufferings of Christ.

You will also remember that when you are persecuted and/or suffer, you are blessed, and ought to praise God and suffer according to His will by committing to Him and continuing to do good. And doing good involves humbling yourself to others, a thing which will enable God to favor you and lift you in due time.

Prayer/Blessing

Lord God of all grace, help me to be alert and sober when I undergo suffering so that the enemy won’t devour me then. This is my humble prayer of faith in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 10-13 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))