DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
AUGUST 7, 2028
READ: 1 Peter 5 (Focus vs. 6-11)
MEMORY VERSE
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
BACKGROUND
Before he became famous, the Mongolian warlord Genghis Khan (ca. ad 1162-1227) killed his own half brother to advance his position in the family.
As he solidified his power, he began to build an empire more expansive than Alexander the Great’s, stretching from Asia’s Pacific coast to Eastern Europe.
Ruthless in his tactics, the khan and his army left a trail of death and destruction everywhere they advanced. His devastating military forays are unparalleled in recorded history.
Today we face a vicious foe even more intimidating than a marauding army—an enemy who wants to conquer and devastate our souls. The apostle Peter cautioned, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
This enemy is cunning and dangerous like a great warrior and is much more than we can handle on our own. But we have great reason for hope.
The apostle John wrote, “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). This “one who is in you” is the Holy Spirit Himself. We need not fear the enemy of our souls.
As we rely on the Holy Spirit, we gain confidence that our lives are guarded from the one who’s trying to conquer our souls. Our God is greater. We can trust Him to be with us in everything.
Bill Crowder
INSIGHT
What does the New Testament tell us about our “enemy the devil” (1 Peter 5:8)? First, it gives him a variety of names:
“Satan,” which means “accuser” or “adversary” (Revelation 12:9-10); “Beelzebul, the prince of demons” (Matthew 12:24); “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4); “the ruler of the kingdom of the air” (Ephesians 2:2); “the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3); “the great dragon” (Revelation 12:9); and the “ancient serpent” (20:2; see 2 Corinthians 11:3).
Second, Satan’s mission is “to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The devil is opposed to God and seeks to drive a wedge between Him and humans. Satan hopes to tear down our confidence and trust in God and deter us from our mission of spreading the gospel.
James says, “Submit yourselves . . . to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). The Holy Spirit will help us resist the devil and stand strong in Christ.
Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
When have you sensed the enemy’s opposition? How did you respond?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“The devil is opposed to God and seeks to drive a wedge between Him and humans. Satan hopes to tear down our confidence and trust in God and deter us from our mission of spreading the gospel.”
PR’s TAKE
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”John 10:10 nkjv
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [b]wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:10-13
PRAYER
“Loving God, thank You that You’re greater than my enemy and have already defeated him. Please help me rely on Your Spirit.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“OUR GOD” Chris Tomlin
Water You turned into wine
Opened the eyes of the blind
There’s no one like You
None like You
Into the darkness, You shine
Out of the ashes, we rise
There’s no one like You
None like You!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer, awesome in power
Our God, our God
Into the darkness, You shine
Out of the ashes, we rise
There’s no one like You
None like You!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer, awesome in power
Our God, our God
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer, awesome in power
Our God, our God
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against
Then what could stand against!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer, awesome in power
Our God, our God…
Our God, our God!
