1 Peter 5:8

New International Version (NIV)

Be alert and of sober mind.

For Meditation

If there is any command that must be emphasized in the church today, it is alertness. Too many things are happening with increasing rapidity that point to the coming of our Lord. The cynic will scoff and say that they have heard it before; and the young and simple will frown and say, “There they go again.” But the truth still stands: Christ is coming! Jesus told us many times to be watchful and ready, not only for the day of His coming (Matt. 24:42), but also for the sake of authentic Christian living (1 Pt. 5:8). In this, the Christian cannot be complacent. The apostle Peter knows this very well, so he speaks from experience (Mk. 14:38, 66-72).

We cannot take grace for granted. We cannot assume on God’s sovereignty and care for us and go to sleep. We have a responsibility to stay awake, be alert, be yielded to the Spirit’s control, and be willing to live righteously, regardless of the difficult times we live in.

Paul puts it this way:

 “Be careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16).

I have seen many young marriages deteriorate right before my eyes. They start well and they love each other. Against counsel, many young men leave their homes to make something out of life before uniting with their families. They may live together, but they are still separated by the busyness of their professions. Things are never the same when they come together or settle down years later. Such marriages often end in divorce because each one thinks the other is the problem. They do not humble themselves before the Lord and surrender to His word that commands mutual respect for each other’s interest, and honor for God in the marriage. Things become bitter and the children suffer. The couple fail to be “alert and of sober mind”, and so the devil devours their marriage (1 Pt. 5:8). You can apply this in every area of life. So allow me to ask you this:

1. Are you disregarding the tiny, flashing signals in your life?
2. Are you going to allow them to get onto the slippery road down to destruction?
3. Can you hear the roar of the devil and guard against him (1 Pt. 5:8)?
4. Can you keep the self, dead with Christ and live in accordance to the character of God, and in total surrender to His will?
5. Can you put on Christ as your armor in your daily struggles and overcome for God’s glory (Eph. 6:10-18)?

I pray you realize that we are at war and that the battle is fierce. It is not easy; neither is it going to get better. But we can stand tall under the banner of Christ and declare God’s glory until He comes.

So: May you pay attention to the Holy Spirit who warns us today to be watchful and sober in mind; and may you diligently take care of the little foxes before they ruin the vine.

Shalom