Every four years as we approach a Presidential election, at least as long as I’ve been an adult of voting age and paying attention to the state of the world, there’s an increased anticipation of where we might be on God’s timeline of human history. Presidents and elected officials, kings, and rulers, all are raised up and put down by the sovereign hand of God. It is He who changes the times and epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding (Daniel 2:21).

We must do our part to cherish and guard our God-given freedoms by voting in each election, guided by our conscience, the Holy Spirit, and Biblical principles. Yet, even as we do, we bow in recognition that there is a higher authority in charge of the nations. God has a plan, and He will execute it in His time and according to His purposes.

We don’t know if America will remain prosperous and free during our lifetimes.

We don’t know how long this great republic founded on biblical principles will survive the assaults of the evil one who lurks in the wings of God’s eternal stage, waiting to take his place and rule over godless men.

We can’t say dogmatically how much of the tribulation of the last days we will be called to walk through.

All we do know is that God has a plan, He is in control, and we are commanded to live faithfully, persevering through whatever comes.

1 Peter was written from Rome, just before the great fire that destroyed the city and Nero’s persecution of the Christians began in earnest. By the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, Peter was given a glimpse that hard times were coming, and indeed were already affecting the followers of Jesus. We know from other scriptures that the last generation will suffer in even greater measure—and could this be our generation?

My Bible study group is beginning an in-depth look at this letter starting next week, but the following verse stood out to me this morning as I read it in preparation for our study.

1 Peter 1:13 – Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Peter and the early church were already anticipating Christ’s return—the revelation of Jesus Christ. In hopeful anticipation, Peter writes this letter to encourage a spirit of endurance and perseverance until that blessed event occurs.

Prepare your minds for action.

The KJV reads “gird up the loins of your mind.” It’s “a metaphor derived from the practice of the Orientals, who, to be unimpeded in their movements, were accustomed when starting a journey or engaging in any work, to bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened them with a leather belt” (blueletterbible.org).

We need to intentionally prepare our minds for what is coming. We need to be able to think clearly and biblically. Preparing our minds is directly related to what we do with God’s Word, the scriptures.

Romans 12:2 – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Hebrews 12:1 – Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

In other words, get your head in the game! Stop being distracted by the culture around you. It will trip you up, impede your faith, and even cause you to stumble! Instead, set your heart and mind on the truth of God’s Word.

Keep sober in spirit.

Sober is the Greek word nēphō. In its original meaning, it implies abstaining from intoxicating drink, but we can conclude this was not Peter’s only meaning. Metaphorically it implies being calm and collected in spirit, circumspect, and temperate.

Later, Peter uses this word again as he warns Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (5:8).

Paul wrote a similar admonition to the church at Thessalonica.

1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 – But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

In other words, stop fooling around with the things of the world. Stop sinning. Be serious about following God. Time is short and you need to be serious about your faith.

Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you.

The KJV translates this phrase as “Hope to the end.” We are to look ahead to the promises God has made to us, knowing He will fulfill them. We are to keep our eyes set on Jesus’ soon return, not be looking around us, dismayed by the growing evil and chaos that is inevitable for God’s plan to be carried out. We are to anticipate, as Peter says a few verses earlier, that if we persevere faithfully, our faith will be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1:7).

Hebrews 12:2-3 – Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Are you tired of all the “mess” that passes for politics? Are you sick of the diminishing moral values in our culture? Are you a tad fearful (let’s be honest) of what could happen in our world?

Prepare your mind for action.

Keep sober in spirit.

Fix your hope securely on the soon return of Jesus.

There’s so much more in this little letter, but that’s enough for today. Let’s encourage one another while we watch God’s plans unfold.