Hope When Life is Hard
Sunday, December 11, 2022

1 Peter 5:5-14
Introduction

Humble. Cast. Resist. Trust. Praise.
I. Five Truths to Grow Strong Through Suffering
1) Humble Yourself (v.5-7)
v.6 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the
proper time he may exalt you.”
Jesus always taught the cross before the crown.
Matthew 23:12; James 4:10
"The...hand of God" was an OT picture of God's active presence and power
working in the experience of men to accomplish His sovereign purpose. It refers
to God's hand upon our destiny.
2) Cast (v.7)
v.7 – “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
Casting – to throw upon
Anxiety and fear is the fruit of the root of unbelief and unwillingness to accept
God’s sovereignty over all of the aspects of one’s life. Faith (which comes by
hearing...the Word of Christ) can break the stranglehold of anxiety and fear.
"I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will
trust'" Psalm 91:2
3) Resist (v.8,9)
v.8 – “Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like
a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
We, as Christians, are to be watchful and alert. We must be aware that the devil
will want us to join him in slandering God for what we are going through.
Devil – diabolos – means false accuser, slanderer
“Satan is a lion who may roar but who has been de-fanged at the cross. Yet the
sound of his roar - his deceptive lies - are still potent and he has the power to
devour souls and rob Christians of effectiveness.” David Guzik

v.9 – “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are
being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
Christians are to stand firm and unyielding, resisting the devil. We are not called
to “flee” the devil or attack the devil, but to resist him.
4) Trust (v.10a,12)
v.10 – “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has
called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen,
and establish you.”
God will do these things:
1) Restore – to put back in order
2) Confirm – to make solid
3) Strengthen – to give strength to bear sufferings
4) Establish – ground securely
5) Praise (v.11)
v.11 – “To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
When you put God in perspective and put your trial in perspective, the natural
outflow of your life is praise.
Let Praise Be Continually on Your Lips. The natural response of one who
follows these principles even during suffering. It causes us to praise the God of
all grace who cares for us!