KNOW THAT EVERY CHRISTIAN IN THE WORLD IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME

Knowledge is power for good, if used properly. Knife in the hand of a surgeon, brings health and healing. While the same knife, in the hands of a criminal, brings death and destruction. The wisdom contained in the Word of God, gives us power, that comes directly from God. However, it would be of use and help to us, if only we realise its worth, and use it appropriately. The same applies to the principles and wisdom which Peter talks about in his epistle, 1 Peter 5:6-11.
– “6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 5:6-11

As we continue to meditate upon the words of Peter, let us look at verse 9, this morning. This is a continuation of verse 8, which talks about our eternal enemy, while the Christian is exhorted to be sober and vigilant. Let us look at verse 9, and see what we can learn from it.
– “9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” – 1 Peter 5:9

1- STEADFASTLY RESIST HIM IN THE FAITH
We are called to steadfastly resist the Devil, our eternal enemy, by standing firmly in our Christian faith. Our standing firmly in faith is nothing but, placing our faith and trust in the LORD Jesus, and obediently walk in all His ways. When we trust and obey God, we resist the deceptions, manipulations and lies of our enemy. This in turn will strengthen our faith, and help us to obey the LORD, more and more, as we continue to walk faithfully with our Redeemer. Such a faith filled resistance, will help us to overcome, all the threats and intimidations thrown at us, by our evil enemy.
– “Resist comes from two ancient Greek words: stand and against. Peter tells us to stand against the devil. Satan can be set running by the resistance of the lowliest believer who comes in the authority of what Jesus did on the cross.” – Enduring Word Commentary

2- KNOWING THAT THE SAME SUFFERINGS ARE EXPERIENCED BY YOUR BROTHERHOOD IN THE WORLD
Many times, we are prone to assume that, we are the only ones suffering such intense and painful trials and tests. Peter helps us know and understand that, we are not the only ones who are going through such struggles and storms. In fact, the same sufferings are experienced by our fellow Christian brothers and sisters, all over the world. This tells us that struggles, storms, trials and tests that we face, are nothing unusual, even though they cause pain and agony for the present. These fiery ordeals that every Christian goes through, from time to time, are much like gold, that goes through the refiner’s finer – 1 Peter 1:6-7. At the end of all this ordeal, we will come out purified, and increasing in our worth many times over, for the benefit of the kingdom of God.
– “The early church faced persecution from both Jewish and Roman authorities, as documented in historical records and the book of Acts. The reference to “the same kinds of suffering” [in 1 Peter 5:9] suggests that trials are a common part of the Christian experience, as Jesus foretold in John 16:33. This suffering is not without purpose, as it refines faith, similar to the testing of gold, as mentioned earlier in 1 Peter 1:6-7. The shared experience of suffering serves to unite believers and remind them of their hope in Christ, who also suffered and overcame, as seen in 1 Peter 2:21-24.” – Berean Study Bible

Let us earnestly seek the LORD, to help us steadfastly resist the devil, by walking faithfully and obediently on the path, that our LORD has called us to. The LORD is faithful, He will surely help us. Much more than that, He Himself will walk with us. What more do we need as an encouragement and inspiration? The LORD is with us – if so, what can deter, discourage and destabilise us? – Romans 8:31-32. HalleluYah!!! Nothing to worry about the fiery trial, we may be facing. We will be victorious, by the grace of God. Even so the LORD help us.