26^th November 2024

THEME: FEAR UNDERMINES LOYALTY   

THEME SCRIPTURE:  "Peter then denied again, and immediately a rooster crowed." John 18:27 KJV  

PREPARATORY QUESTION:  

1. How faithful have you been to your Lord in your Christian journey this year?  

Jesus, knowing all things beforehand, had told His disciples that the time is coming when all the disciples will be scattered. Everyone will seek his own life and as a result, He [Jesus] will be abandoned by all (John 16:32).  Jesus also told Peter ahead of time that he will betray Him. This was on an occasion when Peter wanted the Lord to know how loyal he is to Him (John 13:37). Peter did not believe that he could betray the Master. However, the Lord gave him a sign. The Master told Peter, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, the cock shall not crow, till you have denied me thrice” (John 13:38).

When Jesus was arrested, out of fear Peter followed the Master from a distance. By the time Peter realized, he had denied that he is a disciple of Jesus on three different occasions. Immediately, the cock crowed, according to the word of the Lord. Peter, who had insisted that he would lay down his life for the Lord has betrayed Jesus. He [Peter] insisted that he doesn’t know Jesus. Peter, hearing the cock crow, remembered the words of Jesus and he went out and wept bitterly. How did the chief Apostle, who was ready to die for his Master, end up a betrayer and what can we learn from it? These three:

 

Peter spoke of dying for Jesus. He was strong in his resolution. However, he needed more than a strong resolution. In times of difficulty, it will not be by might, nor by power. But by the Spirit of the Lord. Talk can be cheap but strength to accomplish all things comes from the Lord.

 

Secondly, Peter slept through the precious moment heaven afforded him before the hour of his trial. Any time we miss the opportunity to prepare ahead of temptations and trials we have set ourselves up to fail. Jesus was moved into the wilderness by the Spirit to fast for 40 days and 40 nights because the tempter was coming to Him (Matt 4:1-2).

 

In the face of prayerlessness (Luke 22:45-46) and the absence of the fullness of the Spirit (John 7:38), fear easily found it’s way into the disciple’s heart.

 

Precious one, fear is a tool of the devil. This is why scripture admonishes us never to be afraid. Any time we are afraid, our strategic mental powers are truncated. If we allow fear into our lives, our loyalty to the Lord will be weakened. How is your loyalty to the lord like, child of God? Have you compromised because of fear or the love of God still compels you? Have you dealt with every fear in your life or there is one that remains? You are not permitted to be afraid, because His Spirit lives in you. From today going forward, you are living above every form of fear and intimidation. Remain blessed.

 

FURTHER READING: Luke 22:39-47  

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:  

1. How do you deal with fear in your life?  

 

PRAYER:  

Precious Father, you have said that you will never leave us or forsake us. Hence, I can boldly say that I will never fear what man can do to me. Father, I ask and receive strength to remain steadfast in all things to your glory. In Jesus’ precious name. Hallelujah!

 

ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Esther 1, Amos 6, 2 Timothy 3, 2 Timothy 4