At the last supper, when Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray Me,” Peter was eager to know who was going to betray Jesus (Jn 13:21- 24). Guess what Peter would have done if Jesus had mentioned the name of the betrayer. In all probability, he would have taken up his sword against Judas. How many times the Lord knowing our weaknesses, delivered us from tempting situations! The Lord never fails us or forsakes us in our utterly foolish and impetuous ways, but protects and preserves us. How much we ought to thank Him!
Peter was also a symbol of self-confidence and stubbornness. When Jesus was about to go to Gethsemane, He wanted to warn Peter that Satan was planning to destroy him. He wanted to show him that he was very weak in faith and that he needed a real conversion, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Lk 22:31,32). But Peter was not prepared to listen to these warnings. He straightaway said, “Lord, I am ready to go with Thee, both into prison, and to death” (vs. 33). Look at vast difference between Peter and the Psalmist. Peter said, “I am ready to go,” when he was least ready. The Psalmist says, “Make me to go” (Psa 119:35).
Peter mistook his desire to follow Jesus for ability to follow Him. Many of us make the same mistake. We don’t realize we are acting in self-confidence. When anyone feels he is ready (or able) to do anything for the Lord he is, in fact, least ready.
Dear child of God, you cannot do anything with your own trying or striving. So humbly ask the Lord to teach you, lead you, guide you. Yes, tell Him, “Lord, make me to go in the path of Thy commandments.”
Peter was also a symbol of self-confidence and stubbornness. When Jesus was about to go to Gethsemane, He wanted to warn Peter that Satan was planning to destroy him. He wanted to show him that he was very weak in faith and that he needed a real conversion, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Lk 22:31,32). But Peter was not prepared to listen to these warnings. He straightaway said, “Lord, I am ready to go with Thee, both into prison, and to death” (vs. 33). Look at vast difference between Peter and the Psalmist. Peter said, “I am ready to go,” when he was least ready. The Psalmist says, “Make me to go” (Psa 119:35).
Peter mistook his desire to follow Jesus for ability to follow Him. Many of us make the same mistake. We don’t realize we are acting in self-confidence. When anyone feels he is ready (or able) to do anything for the Lord he is, in fact, least ready.
Dear child of God, you cannot do anything with your own trying or striving. So humbly ask the Lord to teach you, lead you, guide you. Yes, tell Him, “Lord, make me to go in the path of Thy commandments.”
– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion
No comments:
Post a Comment