1 Peter 5:6 says, “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”
True victory is found on our knees. Why? Because you will never experience victory in the public square until you first conquer yourself—better yet, until Christ conquers you.
In a season when it appears words of the Lord have not come to pass, God is directing His church to humble themselves in order to be elevated to positions of authority and empowerment and to gain the resilience to survive and thrive through persecution.
This is what Peter’s letters are about. You might say, “We are not under persecution. How is this relevant?” The instructions given are mandates intended to equip us to live powerfully and effectively.
Christians ought to be a force to be reckoned with. Too often, battered by the waves of life, we present as weak, feeble and defeated, and by default, our testimony has been little more than: “I am just a sinner, saved by grace.” Though saved by grace, it is a defeated presentation. “I am no one, a nobody; there’s no difference between me and anyone else.”
If that is your testimony, then I strongly suggest you reacquaint yourself with the risen Messiah and the power of His might! True, we are no better than anyone else, but by God’s grace I am far better than I used to be. Jesus has brought me to life, changed, delivered and healed me! I have passed from darkness into His glorious light. I am more than a conqueror!
So how does my posture determine my position? Peter clearly tells us in order to receive from God we must position ourselves beneath his mighty hand.
His audience would have clearly understood that the hand of God represented authority, approval, provision and protection. To position myself under God’s hand means I now look to God as my source.
Peter then reminds believers that suffering is a gift for God, though not necessarily from God. Just as we see the apostles worshipping God for being counted worthy to suffer, God wants all believers to recognize that times of trial grant the opportunities to mature and develop. You will never know what you can endure for His name’s sake until you endure it. Your trial can become your testimony.
If you wish to survive your trial, you must get a word from God. In Acts 27, Paul is on a ship in a storm with a crew who has lost all hope. Paul is able to impart hope to the crew and survive the storm because an angel delivered Gods word. Too often we lose sight in our storms of the promises God has made, but your ability to survive is predicated on your ability to hold fast to God’s Word.
Stay under God’s hand. Rejoice in suffering, and hold fast to the word of the Lord. Remember, current difficulties are future victories in the making. Change your posture.
Listen to this episode of Press On with Aaron Rios on Charisma Podcast Network now for more on how your posture dictates your position. {eoa}
Aaron Rios is a worship artist, author and pastor residing in New England with a contagious passion for encouraging, equipping and inspiring believers to pursue their kingdom destiny for the cause of Christ.
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