Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20 NRSV.

None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself. Acts 20:24. You are not your own. 1 Corinthians 6:19.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalm 37:23-24.

Our chapter, 1 Peter 5, is the final chapter of this letter. Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen. Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ.

I love that…after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace…who called you to His eternal glory in Christ…will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time…casting all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. In this life we will undergo sufferings and trials and joys and love of family and friends and brethren. And as we respond to Creator God, Father, Son, Spirit, now as He calls to us, we experience His restoring that He alone brings. He restores relationship with us and that is everything we need and long for that we never realized we lacked without Him. And that brings changes so needed in all of us. Living in our present world we see wars not just on battlefields, but between political parties, between countries hostile toward one another, and within families torn apart and hurting. God’s love enters into all of that and brings understanding of what is truly important and real. God is love. Peter experienced God’s love first hand and that changed his whole life forever. So can we. That is why the powerful first-hand accounts of Jesus the Son with them were written down and shared with the churches then and now. Their experiences couldn’t be contained in just them alone – they were too big and life-altering. Jesus the Son – God With Us, and the Holy Spirit – God With Us, still speak today to hearts opened to receive their message of love and hope and peace. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you…For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:11, 15. We need Creator God to begin to comprehend all that His love is. And He is here working for His good always. To Him be dominion forever and ever! Amen!