Peter still has the picture of the flock in his mind (see v. 2). But the warnings of verses 8 and 9 apply not only to the leaders of the flock but to the individual sheep also. Peter warns us about Satan's attacks. He is constantly prowling around, seeking any Christian who becomes careless and open to attack. Satan is a personal being, a terrible reality. He is our adversary, our enemy. There is nothing weak or gracious about Satan. He is a cruel foe and has the support and help of thousands of demons. There is no church that he will not try to enter. There is no Christian whom he will not try to pull down. Peter says 'Resist him'. Stand against him. Satan was defeated by Christ at Calvary. Sometimes our lives will become a battleground between Christ and Satan, but if we take our stand with Christ, we will always be victorious. In verse 10 Peter gives us a wonderful promise. He calls our God, 'The God of all grace'. Like a great tank of water or a wide river that can fill every cup or pan brought to it, God's grace is all-sufficient for our every need. Peter also reminds us that at the end of the road there is glory for every believer, and God will keep us until that day when we enter into his presence. That is our final hope as a Christian. But in the meantime God can strengthen and establish us. This means that day by day God will give us a strong foundation to stand on and even give us the strength to stand. What more could he do? He has done everything he could to make possible our Christian life day by day. As Peter says in verse 11 'To him be all the glory'. A QUESTION: Do you know what it is to 'Stand up, stand up for Jesus'? |
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