The Velvet Mighty Hand of God

I'm studying in 1 Pet 5.6ff this morning and I've suddenly been struck by something. In vs. 6 Peter tells us to "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God." The preposition translated "under" refers again and again in the NT to submission and subjection; "And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church" (Eph 1.22).

But wait! Peter recognizes that this is in no way an onerous command because he immediately writes: "Casting all your anxieties upon him, because he cares for you." This is profound. The one to whom we are called to be "under" or in submission to, is the one who cares for us. The mighty hand of God, therefore, is a velvet hand; a hand of support and aid. C. S. Lewis captures this image brilliantly in the person of Aslan the Lion as an allegory for God. Aslan is strong and mighty and terrible. To his people, to Edmund, Peter, Lucy, and Susan, he is firm, but kind.

Submission to the mighty hand of God, then is for our good. Who would not flee willingly to the strongest bulwark when under attack? Who would not appeal to the President for aid if he just happened to be our father?

May we submit joyfully and willingly and with great zeal to the mighty hand of God, and in return we receive his help, care, and concern. God gets the glory; we get the help.