March 17, 2023

1 Peter 5:8-14 (HCSB)
8 Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your brothers in the world. 10 Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. 11 To Him be the dominion forever. Amen. 12 Through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Take your stand in it! 13 She who is in Babylon, also chosen, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Rachel Raley
How you leave a store to walk to your car at night is different than during the day. At least that’s the case for me. At night, I am more alert looking for anything that looks out of the ordinary. I try to walk with a purpose and am more efficient with my steps. I am also thinking and planning ways I would defend myself against a potential attacker. This scripture encourages us to approach Satan similarly: sober-minded, alert, and ready for battle. Peter says to stand firm in the faith. We must study and know God’s truth to make correct appraisals of right and wrong. Satan doesn’t come dressed in horns and a pitchfork but looks alluring with promises of false rewards. Spiritual maturity in our walk can be expressed through spotting temptations and seeing their subsequent sting. We don’t have to fight to defeat the enemy, but we must fight to hold our ground until the Lord returns.