Key Passage
But Peter said that he was never with Jesus. He said, "I don't know or understand what you are talking about." Then Peter left and went to the entrance of the yard. [Several translations continue with "Just then, the rooster crowed."]
— Mark 14:68 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Peter denies the Lord the first time, just as Jesus had warned him that he would. On cue, the rooster crows as if God is trying to stir Peter's soul to a new-found fortitude or to remind him of his failure that has just begun to unfold. As the verses that follow show, Peter does not awaken from his spiritual slumber. He continues down the path of denial and abandonment that was begun in the Garden of Gethsemane. How many times have we been caught in the lure of sin or the spiral of spiritual weakness and not heeded the Lord's warning and not found his way of escape?
Prayer
O God, forgive me for not heeding your warnings, for not summoning my courage, for not asking for your Spirit's power, and for not taking your way of escape. Strengthen me by your Spirit, I pray, and open my eyes to see your way through my times of temptation and sin. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scriptures
So the person that thinks he is standing strong should be careful that he doesn't fall. The only temptations that you have are the same temptations that all people have. But you can trust God. He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. But when you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape that temptation. Then you will be able to endure it.
— 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
So I bow in prayer before the Father. Every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from him. I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit.
— Ephesians 3:14-16
Control yourselves and be careful! The devil is your enemy. And he goes around like a roaring lion looking for some person to eat. Refuse to follow the devil. Stand strong in your faith. You know that your brothers and sisters all over the world are having the same sufferings that you have.
— 1 Peter 5:8-9
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
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