Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,

.... that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:6, 7). Peter has been talking about being submissive to leaders, and about “clothing ourselves with humility.” The force of  “therefor” in  verse 6, is because “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (verse 5) .  So here's the question, 'do we want God to resist us?'  If not, you and I need to humble ourselves before Him. And part of how we do that, is to be in submission to our leaders,  and to exhibit humility in our dealings with each other (verse 5). Leaders are certainly included in this  exhortation, since they are not to lord it over the flock, but to be examples (including of humility) to us (verse 3).

This teaching is so necessary in the church, because this is one more way that we have been squeezed in the world's mold (Romans 12:2).  In particular for example, promotion is all selling yourself, and it's all about image.  I mean  if you don't look after number one who will?  Submission, respect and honour go hand in hand, and who honours or respect anybody today?  We are commanded to honour one another however (1 Peter 2:17), and the commandment to honour our father and mother is the first commandment with the promise that it may go well with you (Ephesians 6:2). Giving such honour to whom honour is due (Romans 13:7), is part of submission and of clothing ourselves with humility. Our cloths are a very visible part of our appearance,  and Peter is saying our humility needs to be that obvious!

It goes against the culture many times with its emphasis on “my rights, ” on I, me mine! There is the tendency to respond by saying  I'll honour,  respect and submit to those I feel are deserving of these things. But is not humbling ourselves under the might hand of God. But you might say that God doesn't expect me to submit to the undeserving! Well if that's you, I'm sorry to tell you, you're wrong! We are to be submissive with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh (1 Peter 2:18). You might say that's not fair, but who said it was going to be? And if we don't want to be resisting God,  we need to trust to Him that He will lift us up at the right time and give us,  the grace, the wherewithal no only to do His will (Philippians 2:13), but also to receive His favour (verse 5 NIV). Remember He cares for you (verse 7), and that He has our very best interests at heart in these things that He commands.  

Father, You tell us to let this mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus, that though He is very God of very God, nevertheless He humbled Himself and became obedient even unto death on the cross.   For this very reason You exalted Him Lord,  and gave Him the Name that is above every Name, to which every knee will bow (Philippians 2:5-10). Thank Your Lord that we have the opportunity and the choice to bow now when it means to much more to You,  than it will when those who refused to bow now,  will be forced to.  We choose to humble ourselves this morning Lord with all that that means,  and we give Your glory in Jesus Name Amen