Can you ever remember feeling very scared and being able to crawl up on your dad’s knee? Dad wrapped his big, strong arms around you and that made you feel nice and safe. That thunder wasn’t quite as frightening or that dog as scary with Dad’s arms around you.

Peter uses a similar picture to tell us to trust completely in the Lord. He tells us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. The Bible talks about God’s mighty hand a number of times, and whenever it does so it shows us God’s power and love. We know God created the whole world with his might and power. Psalm 102 speaks about this work of creation as the work of God’s hands. Or think of the time that the Lord redeemed the people of Israel from the land of Egypt. God told Moses that he was going to stretch out his mighty hand to save Israel. God’s mighty hand is something much, much stronger than your dad’s strong arms around you. God’s mighty hand is his power with which he created the world, and with which he is still in control of everything. It is also his power to save you from your sins, from everlasting hell. God’s power is greater than anything else.

Of course, Peter isn’t saying here that God has actual hands, but he wants us to see the power and might of our God. And then he tells us that when we have cares and struggles in this life, we must cast them on this almighty God.

Normally in life when you cast or throw something away, you don’t go chasing after it again to get it back do you? Peter tells us to do the same with our troubles. Cast or throw them at the Lord and then leave them there. Don’t keep thinking about them, but trust God. Leave all of your troubles with him. He is able to deal with your troubles. Hand your troubles over to the Lord and then trust him to care for you.

Reflection with your child:

Are there troubles in your life that you can cast or throw to the Lord?

Source: Rev. W. den Hollander