1 Peter 5

This devotional is written by Matt Coombs.

To the elders and the flock
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because,

‘God opposes the proud
but shows favour 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.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Final greetings
12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Cast all your anxiety on Jesus because he cares for you. (7)

Cast all your anxiety on Jesus because he cares for you.
When Peter says anxiety he’s talking about the stresses, the worries, the burdens, the pressure. Those things that rob us of peace. The things that keep us up at night. What are you anxious about? Your job. Has your income been reduced and bills are looming. Maybe your health or the health of your family. Maybe some of your relationships have come under strain.

Cast all your anxiety on Jesus because he cares for you.

All of it. The big things and the small things. Do you find there are some things you easily take to God and then others you don’t. For me, I am quite good at saying “God, here is everything that is out of my hands - please have it.” But, actually I could probably control this aspect of my life” It’s often those things that often wear us down.

Cast all your anxiety on Jesus because he cares for you.
Cast. Don’t lay them gently at his feet with meek and mild prayers. Cast is an energetic word - launch them from you to Jesus. Continually do this. We’re supposed to pass ours and others burdens on to God.
How do we do this?

We need to speak it. Tell God exactly what your burdens are. Too often I find myself not actually praying, but just thinking. I prefer to think, and figure, and manipulate and predict and rationalise without ever actually praying.

This is why regularly praying the Psalms is helpful because we are exposed to people who know how to cast their anxiety upon God.

I suspect that the people who find casting their anxiety upon God easiest, are the people who find it easiest to believe the bit at the end about God caring for them. Sometimes it’s struggle to accept that.

God cares for you. Therefore, you can trust God with your past, your present and your future.

Jesus, We thank you that you care for us. Help us to trust you with everything that is weighing on us. Even the things we think we can control we pass to you. Help us to cast our cares, our anxiety our burdens, and worries on to you.

Let’s do that now and let go of everything we have been carrying on our own. Say them out loud if that’s helpful.

Finally, imagine you are a cup, and you have been filled with all these cares and burdens. But you have emptied them onto Jesus.

Now, it is time to be re-filled.

Ask the Spirit to come and fill you again.

Fill us with your peace, God.

Fill us with your love.

Fill us with your joy.