27 Feb
In the Pits?
“Therefore, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12
Have you ever noticed that just when you think you finally have it all together something happens, and you find yourself face to face with big-time temptation? You know, you work hard on the treadmill and eat nothing but “rabbit food” for days, and, suddenly, your best friend shows up at your door with a box of chocolate-covered, crème-filled Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Or you make real progress in your efforts to have a daily quiet time. Things are going great, and you are really growing in your relationship with the Lord, when your boss changes your work schedule, and you have to get up an hour earlier to make it to work. Just when you think you’ve got it covered, everything changes, and you find yourself floundering or, even worse, falling. Well … good news! You aren’t alone in your battle—“God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able [to bear]” (1 Cor. 10:13).
Peter knew what it felt like to fall from the top of the world to the very pit of despair. On the night of Jesus’ arrest, Peter proudly declared, “Even if everyone runs away because of You, I will never run away! … Even if I have to die with You, … I will never deny You!” (Matt. 26:33, 35) Before that very night had ended, Peter had not only denied knowing Jesus: he had done it three times! Once Peter realized what he had done, all he could do was weep (Matt. 26:75).
Can you relate? I certainly can! How many times have I told Jesus I will follow Him anywhere and then failed to obey in even the simplest ways? Yes, Lord, I will even go to Africa for you … What? You want me to walk across the room and share my story with that scary looking guy in the corner? Well … what about that Africa thing, Lord?
Do I really love my neighbor as myself? Do I even love Him with all my heart, soul, and mind? I have denied Jesus with my thoughts, my actions, and my words many more than three times, and, yet, I can say through my tears, “Thanks be to God for His incredible gift of grace!” Without it, we would be doomed to a life in the pits. With it, we can be redeemed and even restored to usefulness in His kingdom. As He did with Peter, Jesus comes to us and asks, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:17) Our tearful, humble answer is, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.” O help me to love you more, Lord Jesus!
Lord, a broken and contrite heart you will not despise (Ps. 51:17). Although they are painful, thank you for the times I have spent in the pits. It is when I am the weakest that I see the truth of your strength and mercy. Only when I am humble can I truly see your glory. In the perfect name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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Filed in: Purpose, Relationship, Responding to God
