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Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

Numbers 33
Mark 14:12-31

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Mark 14:27-31 (CSB): “Then Jesus said to them, ‘All of you will fall away, because it is written: “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.’ Peter told him, ‘Even if everyone falls away, I will not.’ ‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus said to him, ‘today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ But he kept insisting, ‘If I have to die with you, I will never deny you.’ And they all said the same thing.”

Reflecting on God’s Word

The way that so many people look at Christianity and the Gospel is thoroughly unbiblical.

Here’s how many people understand the Christian life. They rightly believe they enter it by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). They believe that there is nothing they can do to earn or deserve God’s favor. So, they trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Lord and Savior. As a result of the free gift of God’s grace, they are saved.

But when it comes to living the Christian life, far too many Christians wrongly believe that we are on our own. While they don’t vocalize it, they live like their salvation is dependent upon grace, but their Christian life is dependent upon their own efforts.

I bring this point up because it’s what we see in Peter’s response to Jesus’ heartbreaking prophecy. In Mark 14:27, Jesus looked at His disciples and said that when He was taken, they would all scatter. Then, Peter’s chest swelled with self-confidence as he said, “Jesus, I’ll never leave you. I’ll even die with you if need be!”

Jesus looked directly at Peter and warned him that he would stray further than the others – he would deny Jesus three times before the morning (Mark 14:30). Peter, undeterred by Jesus’ words, made it clear that he had enough strength and willpower to never stoop to doing such a heinous thing. He said he had the self-determination to lay down his life for Jesus if need be.

Mark 14:31 (CSB): “But he kept insisting, ‘If I have to die with you, I will never deny you.’ And they all said the same thing.”

Peter was relying upon his own limited ability. He confidently thought he could easily fight off whatever temptation came his way with his own strength. And we know the rest of the story, don’t we? He failed miserably! He denied Jesus three times, sealing the third time with a curse!

As Christians, we must realize that we are no more capable of living the Christian life after we get saved than before we get saved. The only real difference is the resources we have after we are born again. Among other things, we get Jesus’ Holy Spirit, who brings God’s strength into our lives. Why would we rely on our weakness when we have the Lord’s strength available?

“Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone; 
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.”

Peter failed when he relied upon his own strength, and so will we. So, after receiving God’s grace at salvation, we must realize that we need God’s grace every moment of every day. Sure, we must do our part, but we must continually rely upon the Lord’s resources to enable us to live the life He has given to us.

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you determine whether you are depending upon your own strength or upon His grace as you live each day.
  • Ask God to help you see in His Word so much of what He has made available to you as one of His children.
  • Ask God to help you depend more upon His grace and learn more of how to live in it.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into relying upon God’s grace and not our own strength, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“Why can’t I stop sinning? Please help!”

“What are practical ways to depend on God alone?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com)