1 Peter 5:6-7 - HOW TO SURVIVE A VALLEY - Part 2 of 3 - The INVITATION

II. `GOD PROVIDES AN INVITATION! I Peter 5: 6-11: "HUMBLE" & “CAST”

When I preach my “How to Survive a Valley” message, this would actually be point number One. In this passage, God offers an “Invitation” first. Then He follows it with an ”Instruction” and, as you will read next week, He concludes by offering an “Inspiration”.

You are free to apply the admonition of this passage to whatever is bringing you anxiety. Whether it has to do with health, relationships, finances, or something totally unique to you or your world; The principle will apply in any case. But, this passage was written specifically to believers, experienced or new, who were anxious about being most effective in ministry to others.

Before we look at the two words which comprise the Invitation, let’s look at verse 5: All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another. The Greek word used here is Egkomobosasthe for “clothe yourselves” from the root word; “kombos” which means a “knot”. This action is more than slipping on humbleness like slipping on your work pants and a shirt. This means to Tie on humbleness like a slave ties on a work apron or as Jesus did, wrap and tie on a towel to do Service.

Now, the INVITATION is to do two things: Humble & Cast

HUMBLE: Place yourself “Under God’s Mighty Hand”; a symbol of “Discipline” and “Deliverance”. What does this look like? Ready to do WHAT HE WANTS; WHEN HE WANTS IT DONE; THE WAY HE WANTS IT DONE. And, if I might be so bold as to add, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!!!!

CAST: This is a fascinating word for study. There are eighteen, yes 18, different words in the New Testament alone that mean “CAST” but each one has a very distinctive and unique meaning. For example: A drug dealer might “Cast” drugs out the window to get rid of evidence. A sailor might “Cast” a net to reel it back in to catch fish or “Cast” cargo overboard to save the ship in crisis. But the word used here is “Epiripto” which does not mean “Cast off” but means “Cast upon”. Besides here, it is used in one other place in the bible. In Luke 10:35, it describes the placing of the blankets on the colt so that Jesus might come aboard and be with and upon the colt. It enables a bond that unites. Like a saddle blanket, it allows Jesus to carry you.

Thus, the INVITATION, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

And, Oh how much He cares for you!

Matthew 10:29-31 (The Message Bible)

^29-31"What's the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth more than a million canaries.