Grace and peace, Saints!

This week’s memory verse comes from 1 Peter 1:13:

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

The theme this week is courage and vigilance.  I love the way Peter puts this.  To gird oneself meant to put on one’s belt, to which one’s sword was usually attached.  In that Peter is speaking metaphorically, we may assume that he means to put on our spiritual armor; to steel ourselves for the task ahead; to get ourselves in the right frame of mind.

He next admonishes us to be sober, meaning to be serious, awake, and aware.  This will not be difficult if we constantly remind ourselves that we are in a war.  Soldiers never have to be admonished to be sober, because they know that if they allow themselves to get lazy and complacent, they could be surprised by the enemy.  Likewise we should always remember that we too are in a war, and we can ill afford to forget it.

Lastly, Peter reminds us why we do what we do: we are waiting patiently for the coming of our Lord Jesus, whom we shall see face to face when we claim the reward allotted us through grace.

Wherefore, Saints, let us gird up the loins of our minds and fight the good fight, until the good Lord brings us home.

The Still Man