Sunday, March 13, 2016

“Don't be afraid of your fears. They're not there to scare you. They're there to let you know that something is worth it.” 

― C. JoyBell C.

DEUTERONOMY 20-22

1When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. 4For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

MARK 14:26-50

27“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:

“ ‘I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep will be scattered.’^d

28But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

29Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

30“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice^e you yourself will disown me three times.”

31But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

JOURNAL

The disconnection from what we want and what we actually do is evident right here in scripture. God knows that the Israelites will encounter fear when they go into battle. He is preparing them for this powerful emotion they will face. The answer to dealing with this is first in understanding it and then in having a greater confidence which is in God himself.  The same is true with Peter...he makes promises and he doesn't understand the emotions and what the absence of God will do to his will power and character.  When Jesus is strong  and in control of the environment Peter is strong...yet when Christ is in a "weak" position Peter falls swiftly and just as Jesus predicted.