Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. Peter instructs us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. According to verse 7 (printed below), how are we to do so?
Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God … (7) by casting all your cares upon him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
We are instructed to “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God.” The way in which we do so is “by casting all your cares (anxiety) upon him.” When we read 1 Peter 5:6-7 carefully, we find a very amazing and unexpected truth: anxiety is directly related to pride.
2. Peter exhorts us to humble ourselves by casting “all our cares (anxiety) upon the Lord.” How is anxiety related to pride?
How is anxiety related to pride? At first glance the two appear to be the extreme opposites. When we hear the word “pride,” what picture comes to mind? The picture of a man who is confident that he is in control of the situation; so confident, that he may be boastful or arrogant. When we hear the word “anxiety,” what picture comes to mind? The picture of a trembling little fellow, biting his fingernails, totally overwhelmed by the situation, fully aware that it is out of his control. Do you see how pride and anxiety are, indeed, related? They both have to do with a sense of control. Pride is the delusion of being in control (note James 4:13-16). Anxiety is the desperation that accompanies the realization that you are not in control (cp. Matthew 14:28-30).
3. When Peter instructs us to cast all our cares upon the Lord he is alluding to Psalm 55:22 (printed below). What is the Psalmist teaching in this passage?
Cast your cares on Jehovah and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22)
When we find ourselves overwhelmed with a sense of care or anxiety, the Psalmist instructs us to transfer our burden to the Lord. We are to inform Him of the burden we are bearing, then we are to entrust ourselves and the burden into His hands. But note that the Psalmist does not say the Lord will take the burden away; on the contrary, the Psalmist assures us that the Lord will sustain us. That is to say, the Lord will supply us with the grace that will enable us to successfully endure the trial to its appointed conclusion.
4. According to the apostle Peter, why should we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God? See 1 Peter 5:6 (printed below)
Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, (so that he may exalt you at the appointed time) (1 Peter 5:6)
We should humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God “so that he may exalt us at the appointed time.” If we allow ourselves to become inflated with pride, God will oppose us and cause us to fall. But if we humble ourselves before Him, we can be assured that at the appropriate time He will exalt us—bestowing upon us His blessing and conferring upon us divinely-appointed honor.
5. What assurance does Peter give us in verse 7 (printed above under question #1?)
Peter continues this teaching on the cure for anxiety by assuring us of the Lord’s compassion and care for us: we are to cast all our care upon Him “because he cares for you.” Do you ever question His concern for you; do you question His care for you? If so, all you need do is look to Calvary!
