Verse of the Day (October 31, 2019)

Verse of the Day (October 31, 2019) #BMSeminary – Peter connects every command to a gospel promise. “Humble yourselves” because God will exalt you (v. 6). “[Cast] all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (v. 7). “Be sober-minded” and “watchful,” because you have an Enemy who is out to get you (which presupposes that we are on the Lord’s side; v. 8). “Resist” the Devil and stand “firm,” because you are not alone: your Christian brothers and sisters throughout the world share that struggle with you (v. 9). Thus, the gospel becomes the motivation and compulsion for faithful living. We are not left to wonder about the logic of gospel holiness. God is near to us, by his own initiative of grace. We live in light of this glorious reality. Peter thus concludes with a promise that Jesus himself will “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish” us (v. 10). What a comfort to know we do not have an absentee Father, a distant Savior, or a “hands off” Spirit! The Lord who has eternal dominion over all things (v. 11) has restored us and secured us to himself. We endure suffering and confidently live for him because he has provided such overwhelming, sustaining, eternal, and compelling grace for us. (Gospel Transformation Study Bible)