Resilient: Powerful Hope in a Dangerous WorldSample

We are under attack. When we say “yes” to Jesus and “no” to Satan, our lives become a breeding ground for spiritual warfare. The enemy does all he can to win you back into his destructive clutches. He tries his hardest because he knows the outcome: he knows that he loses and that Jesus has the total victory; he just wants you to go down with him.

The hope of victory, though, doesn’t make the war any less painful or destructive. Peter exhorts his audience to cast their cares on Jesus. It was a comfort to the early Christians facing persecution, and it’s a comfort to us today: God will deliver us from our troubles in the future, but He shows us His loving kindness now because He hears our prayers.

Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast our burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Despite the incessant attacks we face each and every day, we can be sure of our God, and we can be sure of our salvation. We do not have to waver in our faith because the rock we stand on is sure.

Pain doesn’t have to be experienced alone. You have your flock. You have your God. We are in this together.

Reflection Questions

1. When have you seen your prayers answered? Do you believe that God actually hears your prayers?
2. Do you know how to cast your cares on God? If the answer is yes, take time to do so. If the answer is no, ask God in prayer to teach you how.
3. How can the comfort of God’s future deliverance encourage you in your relationships?