Daily Devotional

June 26th, 2026
by Terry Moore

"A Good Defense"

1 Peter 5:8-11 – "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (ESV)

Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, I attended many Fresno State basketball games as part of the "Red Wave." Coach Boyd Grant built his teams around discipline, hard work, and defense. That approach led to an 11th national ranking in 1982 and an NIT Championship in 1983.

One thing I remember well was the crowd chanting, "Defense! Defense!" Most fans enjoy offense, but Coach Grant believed defense was the key to winning. His players were taught to anticipate their opponents' moves—stepping into passing lanes, contesting shots, and disrupting plays before they developed.

That same principle applies to our spiritual lives.

Peter reminds believers that we have a real enemy: "Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (v. 8). Because of that, Peter urges us to be alert, sober-minded, and watchful. We are not called to live in fear, but we are called to be prepared.

One of Satan's favorite tactics is to discourage believers through trials, suffering, and persecution. That was happening to Christians throughout the Roman Empire when Peter wrote this letter. Yet Peter tells them—and us—to "resist him, firm in your faith" (v. 9).

The good news is that we do not stand alone or rely on our own strength. Peter points us to "the God of all grace" (v. 10). After we have suffered for a little while, God Himself will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. The suffering is temporary, but the glory that awaits us in Christ is eternal.

A strong defense in basketball can stop an opponent from scoring. A strong defense in the Christian life comes from staying alert, standing firm in faith, and trusting God's grace. When we do, the enemy does not win, and God strengthens us for every challenge we face.

Prayer: Lord, help us to stay alert to the enemy's schemes and stand firm in our faith. Thank You for being the God of all grace who restores, strengthens, and establishes us. Help us trust you through every trial, knowing that Your glory awaits. Amen.

EMAIL TERRY MOORE

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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