1 Peter 5:6-7 Bible Study
Today, we will be taking a deeper look at 1 Peter 5: 6-7. But before we begin, let’s remind ourselves that the Scriptures are spiritually discerned and as such, we can understand NOTHING apart from the Lord’s leading. So let’s begin with prayer and ask the Lord to give us His understanding of this passage.
Let’s Begin with Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for this time in Your Word. Thank you for all Your love and mercy to us. I ask and pray my Lord, that You give us Your understanding of this passage. Please lead and guide us in how You would have us to apply these truths in our daily lives. In Jesus’ holy and precious name we ask all these things. Amen.
Scripture:
1 Peter 5:6-7 – “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.”(NASB)
My Observations for 1 peter 5: 6-7:
In the first book of Peter, Peter is addressing various groups of believers that are scattered throughout Asia, and many other regions (1 Peter 1:1).
I chose to study this verse, because it is one of the few verses that actually uses the word “Anxiety.” And anxiety is something that I have dealt with often. So I gathered a list of verses that used this term, so I could memorize, study (2 Timothy 2:15), and meditate on these verses (Joshua 1:8).
And as I read this verse now, there are three keywords that I wish to study and examine further. Those words are humble, exalt, and casting.
So let’s pull out our bible dictionaries and get started.
What is the biblical definition of the word humble?
The biblical definition for the word humble is low; or to make one’s self low.
This state of lowering is speaking to how we think of ourselves.
This is evident in James 4:6, where it says,
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
We see in this verse that being humble is the opposite of being proud.
The biblical definition of the word proud is to be lofty or high; having a high opinion of one’s self.
Synonyms for the word humble include the word submission, meek, and modest.
So being humble for us as believers is having a modest opinion of ourselves, and being submitted low/under the Lord as 1 Peter 5:6-7 teaches us to do.
What is the biblical definition of the word exalt?
The word exalt means to elevate or lift up high.
What is the biblical definition of the word casting?
The biblical definition for the word cast is to throw, fling, send, or shed; throw away as worthless; or fling with force.
Now, let’s put it all together: What have we learned from this passage?
Ok. Let’s remind ourselves of what 1 Peter 5:6-7 says. Which is,
“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.”
Now we have learned that the word humble means to lower one’s self. And we see in this verse that we are lowering ourselves under the mighty hand of God.
Now, the hand of God represents the Lord’s guidance, authority, and protection.
Consider the following verses about the Lord’s Hand:
- Psalms 95:7 – “For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand…”
- John 10:28-30 – “and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
- Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
(Here is the link to an article that further expounds on the Hand of God.)
So, humbling ourselves means we are bringing ourselves under the Lord’s guidance as the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 95:7) and under His protection and authority because nothing can snatch us out of the Hands of our God (John 10:28-30)!
We bring ourselves under the Hand of God by humbling ourselves to the point of submission. Which means we are submitting ourselves to the Word of God. And just in case anyone needs clarity on what submission is… simply put, it is obeying the Word of God.
Now, we also learned previously that the word exalt means to be elevated or lifted high.
However we see here in 1 Peter 5:6-7 that we are not the ones who are doing the lifting. This passage clearly states that the Lord will exalt us when we have humbled ourselves.
When we walk in pride, we exalt ourselves and our Lord is opposed to this (James 4:6). But in humility the Lord is the One who exalts us.
Now this verse goes on to tell us that we should cast our anxieties on the Lord because He cares for us.
And we have learned above that casting is the act of throwing, flinging, or sending something away from ourselves.
But… how does the beginning of the verse, which speaks of humility and being exalted, connect with the end of this verse which speaks to casting and anxiety?
My Application of 1 Peter 5: 6-7
Well all I can do is tell you what the Lord has taught me. And it is this:
When I am being anxious it is typically because I do not know how things will turn out. And in my anxiousness, I begin to take control by doing various things in an attempt to work the situation out on my own. I typically think that the problem can be solved by working harder, and doing more.
But what the Lord has taught me, is that doing more does not necessarily mean I am doing His will. And that when I take control, I have exalted my own authority over His authority.
And even though it is never my intention to exalt myself, I still find that when I am anxious, my default is to try and fix it… immediately.
But the Lord has taught me that I must seek Him FIRST, in EVERYTHING. That I need to humble myself and seek His guidance. And that the only necessary thing is staying at His feet, in a position to receive from the Master’s hand.
Then, and only then will the Lord lead me in what I should do, and He will exalt me when He deems it is necessary. He is God and I am not. I do not have all the answers, only He does.
So working harder will not help me, and it won’t help you.
So when I am anxious, I will humble myself under His authority and guidance. I will keep obeying His Word. I will cast all my anxieties on Him in prayer. I will seek His face and I will not move… unless I am directed to do so.
Because I am the sheep of His hand, and nothing can snatch me out of His Hand! So I can trust Him with all the things and all the people in my life.
Questions to help you apply this verse to your own life:
So, here are a few questions to help you apply this verse to your own life. These questions are questions I try to ask myself when I’m studying the Word. Questions I learned from Pastor Chip Ingram in his free daily discipleship course.
- Lord, what were you saying to the church (as a whole) in this passage?
- Lord, what are you saying to me through this passage?
- Lord, how should I respond to this truth? (What should I give thanks for? What sin should I confess? What direction are you giving me? What action should I take?)
I pray that today’s study and these bible study questions bless you today!
Prayer & Praise:
Lord, thank you for teaching us Your Word. Thank you Father, for leading and guiding us in how to respond to your Word, in applying it to our daily lives. Thank you for Your understanding of this passage and for time together today in Your Word. May we live in submission to Your Word each day. In Jesus’ Holy name. Amen.
