"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
As we accept Jesus and seek wisdom we need to remember that the world is the devils to prowl around and cause confusion. We have and know our savior but the devil is looking to devour this world and keep us from the joy and peace God has given us through Jesus Christ. Stay alert, means we should live our lives aware and learning from His word daily. See this relationship with Christ is what helps us grow and it strengthens us to say get behind me satan. Verse 9 goes on to say, “Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”
Not only should we have a good relationship with Jesus but we should build and have relationships with like minded people that keep us focused and strong. (Small Groups) at whatever church you go to, this is something you need to join, lead, host or whatever they call it and see how much growth you will have. As we stay alert, we get prepared and when we get prepared we are ready for whatever happens in this crazy world. Jesus perfects our faith, our faith doesn't increase because God loves us more than someone else, it is perfected by knowing Jesus and letting the Spirit lead our lives. The trust we develop needs to be no matter what situation is happening to us because this is not our home. Our time here is for us to shine His light and help people see Jesus in us, then this world has a chance to change.
I love what it says in verse 10, “In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.” This all happens when we understand that this world is showing us a different life than the one God has for us. The world make us believe that we should watch out for number one, do whatever it takes to get ahead, surrender is week, and the more you have the more important you are. This is not what God has for us, the word says; love your neighbor as yourself, surrender your will for His, give and it will be given back to you, these are the things we need to continue to see and live out as we stay alert and prepare ourselves for shining His light. Amen