Peter had urged Christians to be humble in verse 5, and in this following section, he develops the concept of humility with an exhortation to be sober-minded and to beware the devil’s schemes. Peter’s encouragement to all to be able to persist in humility and in watchfulness was rounded up by his doxology that pointed believers to the hope that we have in Christ.

In Peter’s explanation of the concept of humility, he spoke about its significance. Believers are to humble themselves before God by submitting to His will, which now includes suffering. They are to turn over their fears, worries and anxieties, and allow God to bring about the justice that He has promised in His own time. The only reason for turning over these fears and worries to God is because “he cares for you”. Therefore, in submitting to God’s will, as well as enduring suffering for the sake of Christ, believers are undergirded with the knowledge that God cares for, and loves, them. What a comfort, knowing that God of creation cares for us, and what an encouragement to submit our fears and worries to Him, knowing that He attends to us.

The exhortation to submit to God’s will is followed by an exhortation to vigilance. Peter encouraged believers to be watchful of the temptations that the devil had put before us that we may succumb to during times of suffering – temptations to deny Christ, temptations to be faithless and fearful in the midst of suffering. Instead, Peter encouraged believers to remain faithful and obedient to Christ, and to resist the temptation to doubt God. There are suffering of many kinds, and all believers go through some kind of suffering in our lives. However, our God, who cares for us, will bring us through, if only we humble ourselves and submit to Him.

And indeed, believers are able to be humble and to stand firm because the God we worship and serve is a God of grace – He is merciful and forgiving, He keeps the covenantal relationship with His people, He promises His protection. As His children, we have the hope of eternal glory in Christ, and it is this hope and destination that allows us to live in the present suffering for a while, to endure, to remain faithful, to resist temptations, while we look towards the future glory. Indeed, that is the tension of the already, and not yet, where while we are already children of the glorious God, we are not yet free from the trials and temptations of the world. But we have a hope, hope of eternal life and glory in Him. Let us submit to our Lord, to wait for God’s good and perfect time, and to stand firm to resist the temptations. Dear brothers and sisters, be humble and stand firm, not by our own selves, but by our God who cares for us, and who gives us strength and hope.