A Crushed Serpent
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:6–11
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A Crushed Serpent
Anxieties and fears haunt us too often. It can be upsetting and frustrating when we think about it. As Christian why do we face such struggle? Why do our problems remain even though we are faithful in prayer and church life? Why do we get burned repeatedly by those closest to us? Why do we keep returning to that same sin which keeps calling us like a siren? St. Peter gives us the answer here, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” The devil is a relentless foe and is constantly looking to draw us away from Christ and His salvation. And he is good at what he does. He fomented a rebellion in heaven which resulted in his expulsion from heaven along with the other fallen angels. He quickly seduced our first parents to turn inward away from God, even though they knew God personally and were in a garden paradise where they walked in the cool of the evening with our heavenly Father. And he easily tempts us into sin daily. Yet, as strong and deadly as Satan’s poison is, we have the antidote. From a cross on a desolate hill, Jesus crushed the head of the serpent and set us free to be children of God. So we can now lay those fears and anxieties upon Him knowing that He has heard our prayers and answered them. We rest peacefully in the knowledge that as repentant sinners we are forgiven and washed clean by the blood of the Lamb.
1 Peter 5:6–11
+
A Crushed Serpent
Anxieties and fears haunt us too often. It can be upsetting and frustrating when we think about it. As Christian why do we face such struggle? Why do our problems remain even though we are faithful in prayer and church life? Why do we get burned repeatedly by those closest to us? Why do we keep returning to that same sin which keeps calling us like a siren? St. Peter gives us the answer here, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” The devil is a relentless foe and is constantly looking to draw us away from Christ and His salvation. And he is good at what he does. He fomented a rebellion in heaven which resulted in his expulsion from heaven along with the other fallen angels. He quickly seduced our first parents to turn inward away from God, even though they knew God personally and were in a garden paradise where they walked in the cool of the evening with our heavenly Father. And he easily tempts us into sin daily. Yet, as strong and deadly as Satan’s poison is, we have the antidote. From a cross on a desolate hill, Jesus crushed the head of the serpent and set us free to be children of God. So we can now lay those fears and anxieties upon Him knowing that He has heard our prayers and answered them. We rest peacefully in the knowledge that as repentant sinners we are forgiven and washed clean by the blood of the Lamb.
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