Our Adversary: We are at war, and we have an enemy. Peter calls us to mental sobriety and wakefulness. He shows us the need of this alertness with a picture of the danger at hand. Our enemy is a vicious and voracious lion! We are in a spiritual war with the Devil. Our “struggle is … against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). How do we resist this adversary?[1] By standing firm in the faith. We are to maintain a sharp and steadfast mind anchored in biblical truth. Furthermore, we must not crouch or cower in the face of suffering. Suffering is normal for those whom Satan opposes. Even Jesus said: “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). Times will be hard for a season, but the Lord will keep us (John 17:15).

Sanctification: The God of all grace will not let us suffer for nothing. Under His watch, our tribulations don’t ruin us.[2] They instead restore us to a greater usefulness to the Lord. He will equip us and firmly fix us, even strengthen and establish us. In the economy of God, every thread of pain is woven into the tapestry of our sanctification which culminates in the masterpiece of eternal glory. God does indeed work together all things, even our tribulations, toward His purpose that we be “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). In consideration of this, Peter breaks out in praise. God’s eternal power is at work even amid the onslaught of the evil one. To God be ascribed “dominion forever and ever.” Indeed “His sovereignty rules over all” (Psalm 103:19).

[1] Satan and his minions oppose us in various ways: false teaching (1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Tim. 2:24-26); division (2 Cor. 2:10-11); enticement to apostatize (Lk. 22:31; 1 Cor. 7:5; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 5:15; James 4:5-7); systems of the world (Eph. 2:1-3; 2 Cor. 10:3-5); persecution (Rev. 2:10; 12:17); hindrance to the progress of the gospel (1 Thess. 2:18).

[2] Cf. Rom. 5:3-5; Heb. 12:10; James 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1:6-7. Cf. also Psalm 94:12; 119:67, 71.