Apr1

Today’s assigned reading from Luke was the longest one in the “Holy Week Scripture Reading Challenge”; Luke 16-22. I decided to listen to it at biblegateway.com. I have never listened to Scripture read on-line before and I really enjoyed the experience. I want to encourage you to try it sometime soon.

In listening to these chapters being read, I was most captured by Peter’s three denials of Christ in chapter 22. You probably know the story; in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus urged Peter to pray so he would not fall into temptation. Jesus had already told Peter that Satan had singled him out that night and was going to attack him. But instead of praying, Peter slept. And later, instead of standing up for Jesus, Peter denied him. He didn’t mean to. He loved Jesus, but three times he denied knowing his Lord. The realization broke him and he left the courtyard, found a private place and wept bitterly. What a dark moment in his life.

I don’t know when the next attack from the Tempter will come for you or me, perhaps today. But let’s all remember that attacks will come and we need to prepare ourselves with prayers for protection, strength, courage and wisdom to resist the temptations that will inevitably present themselves.

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil…and pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers…” Ephesians 6:11 and 18.

Tim