February 15th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

HE THOUGHT HE WOULD NEVER DENY JESUS      

Matthew 26:31-35 “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.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You.” And all the other disciples said the same.” 

Peter had the gift of boldness. Remember when he stepped out of the boat and started to walk on the water of the Sea of Galilee. His confidence was in Jesus. Nevertheless, when a huge wave came his way, his faith weakened dramatically and he began to sink into the waters of the sea. 

Again in today’s devotional verses Peter steps forward to take a dramatic, confident stand beside Jesus. “Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You.” Peter was absolutely certain he would never deny Jesus no matter what the consequences. 

As you know, Satan found Peter’s achilleas heel. He knew where Peter was most vulnerable to spiritual attack. Peter had great confidence in his personal ability to stick with Jesus no matter what. He relied in his overconfident strong trust in himself, and later in the garden he relied upon his trusty sword.    Solomon wrote, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) St. Paul reminds you that when God is with you, no one can be against you. (Romans 8:31-39)   Prayer: Grant me, O Lord, a faith that will not shrink tho pressed by many a foe. . .” In Jesus’ name. Amen.  O, for a faith that will not shrink,  Though pressed by every foe,  That will not tremble on the brink  Of any earthly woe! 

That will not murmur nor complain  
Beneath the chastening rod,  
But, in the hour of grief or pain,  
Will lean upon its God. 

A faith that shines more bright and clear  
When tempests rage without;  
That when in danger knows no fear,  
In darkness feels no doubt. 

That bears, unmoved, the world’s dread frown  
Nor heeds its scornful smile;  
That seas of trouble cannot drown,  
Nor Satan’s arts beguile. 

A faith that keeps the narrow way  
Till life’s last hour is fled,  
And with a pure and heavenly ray  
Lights up a dying bed. 

Lord, give us such a faith as this,  
And then, whate’er may come,  
We’ll taste, e’en here, the hallowed bliss  
Of an eternal home.  

(William Bratthorts, Public Domain)