Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7
Bumper stickers on cars do not seem quite as popular as they once were. You may remember some of them: “I was calm 3 cars ago,” “Save the whales,” or “Every day is Taco Tuesday.” There were faith-based bumper stickers as well, such as “WWJD,” “Keep God First,” and “Let Go and Let God.”
The encouraging words of the apostle Peter in the verse would surely support a “Let Go and Let God” on his vehicle, had he had one.
The Christians of the first-century church had reason to be anxious. Well-organized Jewish communities were hostile to the Gospel (Acts 13:45, 14:2). Rome under Vespasian and his son Titus wanted to rid the world of all religions that did not worship the Greco-Roman gods. Dr.
Bruce Shelley, a Christian historian who wrote of the early church, said that Christians were often blamed for natural disasters. Persecutions of Christians at the hands of Emperor Nero are well documented. Shelley wrote, “Many Christians were even crucified. Some were sewn up in the skins of wild beasts; then big dogs were let loose upon them, and they were torn to pieces. …
After nightfall, Christians were burned at the stake in Nero’s garden.” Peter himself was crucified upside down by Nero. Believers certainly had cause for anxiety.
Followers of Christ face persecution around the world, while Christians in America are targeted in the cultural war in society today. Whatever the degree may be, God does not want Christ’s followers to be “victims.” Rather, He directs you to be a conqueror who casts your anxieties on Him (Romans 8:37), “Letting go and letting God.” Be confident in the Lord and His care for you.
Comments