Keep calm, and climb.

Observations of …

1 Peter 5:1-14

What are key words in this chapter?

Elder

Younger

Lead

Good example

Accept authority

Honor

Exalt

Worries

Cares

Humble

Proud

Grace

The Devil

God promises promotion

The Devil offers promotion

What do these key words tell us?

God’s promise of promotion, increasing in glory, still stands firm even in hard times and discouraging evidence within and without. Not so glorious seasons are God’s means for making a man. Ease is the Devil’s means for making a mess of a man. The man who holds fast in ease and hardship, is the man who has passed the test and earned his trustworthiness to lead. Anyone can lead for a minute, few can lead for an hour, fewer can lead for a day, nearly none can lead for a lifetime.

It is no coincidence that the devil is mentioned in the context of leadership, and younger men and older men. Here is the battle ground of the ages. Young men who feel enlightened and therefore emboldened to challenge those who seem to be irresponsible leaders. Old men who appear irresponsible for their imperfections, yet are steadfast and responsible to lead. How young men are properly exalted is through enduring the tests of those who’ve gone before them. The elders. The test of those who’ve gone before them is the test of submitting themselves to God’s appointed men.

Submission to authority is the requirement for those in authority.

Humility is the gift given to the submissive. Favor is the gift given to the humble. Promotion is the gift given to the favored of God. Responsibility is the gift given to the promoted of God. Faithfulness is the gift given to God by the responsible man of God. Eternal glory is the gift given to the Faithful.

Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter now into the joy of the Lord. The joy of achieving your Father’s goals for your life. The joy of earning your place among the mighty men of David. The mighty men of King Jesus.

Young men, submit to any man, and be proved. God is watching your life. He never lets humility go unrewarded.

Old men. Remain humble so you may remain a good example of a faithful man. God let’s bad leaders be for a time to produce fear and humility in the younger man. Long for the glory of being honored by God and revered by good men.

Keep the Devil the only enemy. Fight only him, never a man.