Father Knows Best

DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER OF PETER

FATHER KNOWS BEST

1 Peter 5:5-7

5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."   6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

NIV

This would seem that young men should not be considered for the position of shepherd or overseer, who we now call pastors. That should be held by the senior men who have had both significate time to experience life and to study the scriptures. There may also be some other reasons as young men still have the drive for both advancements as well as have young families that require much of their time. However, or for whatever reasons, these younger men should show respect to the senior men, using them as mentors. However, all of us believers should clothe ourselves with humility toward one another. This requires not thinking too highly of oneself. All too often it can be easy to think we are better in some way then another. Maybe that could be due to whatever secular education we have, what degree we hold. Maybe that could be due to having some position in the church, on the board, elder board, deacon board, trustee board, or whoever boards it is called in each denomination. It could be due to many reasons that we might feel pride in our accomplishments, and that could translate into thinking more highly of ourselves then we should. We could become prideful due to thinking we do so many good deeds. That fact is we are all equal in the sight of God. There is nothing we do or have accomplished that carries any weight with God. What matters is that we humble ourselves before him and in our relationships with each other. We are told to serve one another. We are told any gift the Holy Spirit manifests in us, is for the benefit of others. Jesus gave us that example and told us that he did not come to be served, but to serve. He washed the feet of his disciples, humbling himself to the task of a house servant. He humbled Himself to the humiliation of the cross. Do we think we are any better than Jesus? Being humble is an attitude of the mind which comes from the heart. Still, the major issue Peter seems to be coming to is that we should humble ourselves to the mighty hand of God. That would have to mean that we do not make our life choices, we do not call the shots, that we are not supposed to decide everything about our lives, and then include being a Christians, or make being Christian part of our life. This means that when we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, he may well call us into some area we have absolutely no training, no skill, and no ability in at all. This is why then He would get all the credit, all the honor, all the glory because it is his hand which has directed our lives, not ours. Then, if we do humble ourselves under his mighty hand, we also have no reason for any anxiety for God is in complete control of our lives. Because God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all caring, how could we ever be anxious about what he is doing in our lives, directing our paths, taking us to the place he desires us to be, so we might serve his purpose for us within his kingdom. We are living stones being built, not by our hand, but by the hand of God into his holy temple. The place he puts us is right where He needs us to be. Therefore no anxiety at all for we know Father knows best.