How to Cast Your Anxiety on God | 1 Peter 5:7
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. — Some burdens feel too important to put down. We tell ourselves that continuing to think about them is responsible. If we stop rehearsing the possibilities, anticipating every problem, or trying to control every outcome, something may fall apart. But responsibility can slowly become the belief that everything depends on us. Yesterday, Peter told us to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. Today, he shows us what humility does with the weight it cannot carry: “Casting all your anxieties on...
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How to Humble Yourself Before God | 1 Peter 5:5-6
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. — Humility is one of the hardest virtues to examine. Because the moment we become impressed with our own humility, it has already become pride. For the past couple of days, Peter has been speaking to Christian leaders. He has called them to shepherd God’s people and model...
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How Should Christian Leaders Use Authority? | 1 Peter 5:3-4
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. — Peter never forgot the night Jesus picked up a towel. John tells us that Jesus knew the Father had given all things into His hands. He knew where He had come from and where He was going. Yet those hands did not grasp for greater status. They removed His outer garment, tied a towel around His waist, and washed the feet of His disciples. The One with absolute authority used it to serve. In that moment,...
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What Makes a Good Christian Leader? | 1 Peter 5:1-2
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; — Leadership becomes dangerous the moment we forget whom the people belong to. For four chapters, Peter has been teaching us how believers stand firm under pressure. Now, as we enter the final chapter of this letter together, he...
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What Does “Judgment Begins at the House of God” Mean? | 1 Peter 4:17-19
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. — Some verses sound frightening until you read them in context. Peter writes, “It is time for judgment to begin at the household of God.” That statement can make sincere believers...
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Stand Firm When the Fire Comes | 1 Peter 4
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
What if the fire isn’t proof that you missed God’s will but the moment your faith becomes visible—in 1 Peter 4, Peter shows how to stay faithful when following Jesus becomes costly. Summary Peter prepares believers for fiery trials by calling them to arm their minds with Christ’s resolve and give the rest of their lives to God’s will. He urges them to use their remaining time for clear-minded prayer, earnest love, openhearted hospitality, and faithful service. He also warns that not every consequence is persecution, so Christians must make sure their suffering comes from faithfulness...
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How Should Christians Respond to Persecution? | 1 Peter 4:12-16
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. — ...
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How to Discover and Use Your Spiritual Gifts | 1 Peter 4:10-11
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is 1 Peter 4:10-11: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. — 1 Peter 4:10-11 One year ago today, Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University. Much of his public life had been spent speaking to students, inviting debate, building an organization, and...
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What Does “Love Covers a Multitude of Sins” Mean? | 1 Peter 4:8-9
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. — Pressure has a way of exposing what relationships are made of. When life is calm, patience comes more easily. But when people are tired, frightened, disappointed, or under strain, small offenses begin to feel larger. Weaknesses become harder to overlook, and relationships that once felt effortless can become difficult to maintain. Peter was writing to believers living under increasing opposition. They needed one another...
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How Should Christians Live in the End Times? | 1 Peter 4:7
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is 1 Peter 4:7: The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. — 1 Peter 4:7 When Christians talk about the end times, the conversation often gets louder as charts appear, headlines are decoded, and predictions multiply. Peter takes the conversation in a quieter—and more demanding—direction: Pray. Listen again to what he writes, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” Peter is not giving his readers a date for Christ’s return. He is...
info_outlineAre you trying to find your way from chaos and confusion to clarity?
Happy Father's Day, and welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.
This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 6. I've titled this chapter "From Confusion to Clarity."
So far, in the story of 1 Samuel, we have been introduced to a few key figures, like Samuel and Eli, but rather quickly, we come upon a battle between the Philistines and the Israelites. Israel sustains devastating losses, and the Ark of God is taken. The problem for the Philistines is that the Ark of God proved to be a curse to them for about seven months. It tormented the five lords of the five cities with the Black Plague and severe hemorrhoids. The situation is so bad that their attention has turned from their victory over God to what to do with God.
The chapter we are reading this week chronicles how the Philistines rid themselves of the Ark of God and how the Israelites received the Ark of God. Through their experiences, we uncover some profound lessons on how both unbelievers and believers find their way through chaos and confusion to clarity.
The key verse of this chapter is verse 20, which reads:
"And the men of Beth-shemesh said, 'Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom shall he go up away from us?'" — 1 Samuel 6:20
If you read through the chapter, you will notice that it begins with big questions and ends with big questions. However, the questions at the beginning are very different from those at the end. The Philistines' initial question in verse two is: “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord?" The Israelites' final question in verse twenty is: "Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God?"
As we compare these questions, we can see three distinct differences. First, the nature of the questions is different. The Philistines are grappling with how to handle an object of God, while the Israelites are wrestling with the very nature of God. Second, the motivation behind the questions is different. The Philistines are driven by self-preservation, while the Israelites are motivated by self-renunciation. Third, the responses to the questions are different. The Philistines' response to God is superficial, while the Israelites' response is spiritual.
This chapter is bookended by two questions from two different people with two different responses that attempt to address the chaos and confusion in life. Eventually, the chapter concludes with one nation seeking clarity by ridding itself of God and the other finding clarity by returning to the reverence of God.
We all face moments of chaos and confusion. Through these times, we are confronted with the most profound questions we will ever have about God and his work in this life. These questions either guide you to rid yourself of God or to reverence of God. But if you rid yourself of God, you will never find the clarity you need through the chaos of this life. Chaos and confusion will come again. Permanent clarity is only found if you are willing to come to the end of yourself and submit to the heavy hand of the Holy God. In full submission of all we are to God we find the clarity we need through every time of chaos and confusion in this life. So if you need this today, submit to him.
God, on this Father's Day, we men submit our lives to you. We all have some form of chaos and confusion in our lives right now. We need your clarity and know this is only found bowed low before you. We are sons. You are the only Father. Lead the way we are ready to obey. Amen.
#FaithInChaos, #FindingClarity, #SubmitToGod
Ask This:
- How do you typically respond to moments of chaos and confusion in your life? What steps can you take to ensure your response draws you closer to God rather than pushing Him away?
- In what areas of your life do you need to submit more fully to God's authority? How can you practically begin to bow low before Him and seek His clarity in those situations?
Do This:
Submit to God.
Pray This:
Father, I surrender my chaos and confusion to You, seeking Your divine clarity and guidance. Help me trust in Your wisdom and revere You in every aspect of my life. Amen.
Play This:
I Surrender.