{ Day 195 }

Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” —Matthew 26:31-34

The only reason we are shocked when we stumble is because of our own religious pride. God is never surprised, disillusioned, or confused by our failings. At the Last Supper, when Jesus said, “All of you will stumble tonight,” Peter slammed his hand down on the table and said, “Wait a minute! I will never stumble.” Like many of us, Peter had more confidence in his own dedication to the Lord than he had in the Lord’s dedication to him. His relationship with Jesus was based on misplaced confidence in his own devotion. For this reason, Peter was probably the only one shocked when the rooster crowed and the sound of his third denial was still echoing off the walls. Though every believer’s personal dedication to God is absolutely crucial, we must understand that our dedication to the Lord is only an outcome of His dedication to us.

{ PRAYER STARTER }

Lord, it is my intention to live a sinless life before You. But in my own strength that is impossible. It is only through Your powerful gift of righteousness that I can stand before You, clothed in Your righteousness, and none of my own.

The strength of our commitment and obedience is
in the drawing power of Jesus’s tender leadership.