In many ways, the process of growing as a Christian can be described as the process of learning to be humble under God’s mighty hand. As we saw this last Lord’s Day from 1 Pet. 5:6-7, such humble submission takes place as we cast all our anxiety on God by faith, confident of His glorious care for us. Peter says much throughout his letter about the full nature of God’s care, preeminently demonstrated through the saving work of Jesus Christ at the cross (see 1 Pet. 1:3-12; 1:17-21; 2:24-25; and 3:18-21). Learning to humbly trust and submit to God, in view of His merciful care for us in Christ – this is what it means to grow as a Christian.
To encourage our growth, God has graciously given some helpful examples to follow. One such example is Job. Following his sufferings, perplexities, and the gracious, comprehensive exhortations he received from God (see Job 38-41), Job expresses his deeper humility and submission in Job 42:1-6:
1 Then Job answered the Lord and said: 2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4 ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ 5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
King David is another wonderful example, as he testifies in Ps. 131 of his humble trust in God’s wise care:
1 A Song of Ascents. Of David. O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. 2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.
Beloved, our God is infinitely holy, good, wise, and sovereign. And how patiently, lovingly He cares for us, even as we grow in learning to trust and submit to Him. May we all keep loving, praying for, and encouraging one another so to trust Him, and to “…fix our hope completely on the grace to be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:13)
Because He lives and loves,
Greg