Today, I want to continue to experiment with a form of journaling that I learned a few years ago and was recently reminded of.
H – Highlight
Mark 14:29-32 – 29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.
E – Explain
In the upper room at the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples that they would all fall away from him. Peter, with too much confidence in himself, declares that, no matter what, he will never fail Jesus in that way. The other disciples agree. And they are all wrong.
A – Application
It is easy to boast of a spiritual commitment in a time of seeming safety and ease. It is hard to imagine one’s self failing utterly. But Peter, a bold man, failed to stand for the Lord when the time came. So too did the disciples.
These truths should make me be humbler and more gracious. I should never assume spiritual safety in myself. If I am to be safe, it is only in the Lord. Neither should I be cruel or harsh with those who fail, as it is only by the grace of the Lord that I have not failed in the same way. And, in point of fact, it is probably good for me to remember that, at many a time, I have probably already failed in worse ways.
R – Response
Prayer: Lord, I come to you this morning seeking to be humble. As Peter spoke with confidence and then denied Jesus, I know that I cannot be better on my own. It is easy for me to feel confident in a time of security. I pray that you will grant to me the ability to remember that I am weak, needful of your Holy Spirit. I pray that you will grant me your Spirit to empower me to follow you faithfully and to keep me from sin. I pray that you will help me to be kind to others when they struggle, remembering that I am subject to the same or worse failures in myself. I declare with absolute certainty that my salvation is only in Christ and my keeping is only in Christ.
Pastor Travis Peterson 