Scripture to Read: 1 Peter 5:4–5
As God continues to lead Peter to write, God had Peter talk about our Lord Jesus Christ, our Chief Shepherd, in 1 Peter 5:4. What Christ has for every under-shepherd is a crown of never-ending glory and honor. But the everlasting crown is not just for elders (under-shepherds), but our Lord Jesus Christ has crowns for every believer. These crowns are not to glorify us, but they will bring glory to our King. The crowns are the evidence of Christ's work through our lives. Because we know that we will receive the crown(s) from our Lord, the way we live now is critical to bringing our Lord glory. Then, in 1 Peter 5:5, God turns His attention to those younger and under the care of the elders (pastors). To be subject to the elders was, and still is, a sign of humbling oneself and honoring our Lord through our humility. God was, and is, reminding the younger men that they lack experience simply because they have not lived life long enough yet to learn some of the lessons the elders have been taught. So, God tells the younger men to seek the elder's counsel, knowing that God has taught the elders things through life's tests and trials. God had Peter quote Proverbs 3:34. The prideful are enemies of God, and the humble receive God's grace. Humility is the choice that every follower of Christ must make daily. God tells all of us to clothe ourselves with humility. So, humility is an act of our will, choosing to crucify our self-righteous pride.
Challenge & Application
1. How do we choose to walk in humility each day, as God has commanded us to do?
2. How are you clothing yourself with humility in your relationships with others?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!