If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen
1 Peter 5:11
To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Looking at these two verses of praise it's hard not to make a reflection of Peter's life with Jesus. From when Jesus first called him we see a man who felt undeserving and sinful but yet drawn to Jesus. He listened to His every word. He pledged his loyalty to Jesus. We know specifically of the day he spoke out from the disciples and proclaimed to Jesus, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16)
One thing we know of Peter is that he was confident of his relationship with Jesus. He unfortunately found put too much confidence in himself. There was the time when the disciples were in the boat during a storm. Jesus came walking on the water to them. While the disciples were all afraid Jesus called to them saying, "It is I, don't be afraid." Peter answered back to Jesus, "Lord if it is really You, call me to come out to you on the water."
Jesus told him to come. Peter, confident in Jesus call got out of the boat and began walking on the water by the power of God. Yet on the way to Jesus he looked at the waves and became afraid and began to sink. Jesus rescued him and talked to him about his lack of faith. Some how even though he got out of the boat in total faith in God's call, he turned to his own strength and ability when he considered the size of the storm and became afraid.
On the night that Jesus was going to be betrayed in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told the disciples that they would all deny Him. Peter told Jesus that he would never deny Him. Jesus told Peter that Satan was specifically gunning for him that night. Yet Peter insisted that he would die with Jesus. Jesus knew what was necessary for Him to endure that night. He took them into the garden to pray. After Jesus had prayed for an hour He came and found the disciples sleeping. He said to Peter. Why are you sleeping? Couldn't you watch with Me for one hour? Now watch and pray so that you do not enter into temptation." Jesus knew that He and the disciples would need to have much time in prayer to be able to endure the trial and the cross. Jesus knew that His human will would need to be completely surrendered to the will of God. The only way this would happen is by spending much time in prayer. Think about it. If the very person who was God embodied in a man had to pray for His flesh to be in submission to God's Spirit, how much more do we, His disciples, need to pray - often and long. We are foolish to try and take on ministry without much prayer. We are not strong enough in our selves to take on the attacks the devil will bring our way. Yet 1 John 4:4 tells us, Greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world.
The disciples had fallen asleep again. When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Peter cut off the ear of one of them. Jesus rebuked Peter for using his sword and then healed the guard's ear. Peter, along with the rest of the disciples was terrified and ran away. We know the story how that Peter denied even knowing Jesus that night and then went out and wept bitterly. Luke 22:62
Peter was ready to die fighting for Jesus. When Jesus rebuked him, he fled with the others. In himself he loved Jesus but his inner desire was not enough to take on the pressure of hell. This is why he needed to pray.
Peter did learn this lesson. We find that after Jesus ascended to heaven that Peter and the disciples and friends of Jesus, 120 people in all, stayed in the upper room in Jerusalem praying and seeking God until God poured out His Spirit. This waiting time could have been as long as ten days. (Acts 2) Again Peter was on his way to the temple for his daily prayer when he spoke to the lame man and saw him healed. (Acts 3:1-8)
After being interrogated by the sanhedrine Peter and the apostles prayed for boldness to spread the gospel and the house where they were was shaken. When part of the church brought a complaint to the apostles they insisted that it was most important that they prayed and ministered the Word and appointed others to take care of the problem. The result was that the church multiplied. (Acts 6:2-4, 7) When the gospel was to be first presented to the gentiles, God showed a vision to Peter while he was fasting and praying. (Acts 10:2, 9)
So when Peter wrote his letter to the church, he proclaimed this praise. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. What an important truth we need to realize in our ministries. That the glory and the dominion is all His. Remember the truths Peter preceded this praise with.
1 Peter 5
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
We need to keep ourselves humble and under God.7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Bring all our cares to Him in prayer often because He cares.8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Remember the devil is seeking to devour us. This is another reason we need to constantly be in prayer.10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
God's grace is what we need to perfect and strengthen us. It is not our own power that will advance us in Him. So.....11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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