“When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you..” ( Deuteronomy 20:1).
Peter was one cool courageous fellow! Plucked out of his fishing job, which for a man of his energies, must have been rather boring, he was happy to take up second in command in Jesus’s army. He was never short of words or one who hesitated to take action. So quite aware of his gusto, once the Lord remarked, “Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (Mathew 16:18).
About some time later when Peter heard that everyone in Jesus army was about to desert him, he immediately protested. “But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” ( Mathew 26:35). He was not bluffing. The day soldiers arrived with swords, “Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear.” (John 18:12). Yes, Peter was ready for battle.
But then our friend was disappointed. For Jesus “commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” ( vv 11). Peter thought that physical battle was the thing. He was not aware there was also the spiritual battle.
For while the soldiers and high priests seemed overwhelming, there was another mighty army of angels guarding Jesus! It’s a fact that Jesus had to go through the torture of being arrested and crucified like a criminal but all was for a certain purpose- ultimately he would triumph over death and wipe away all the suffering he had endured.
So, the victory Peter must have longed for was accomplished without a sword being lifted. Friend, when like Peter you too are faced with a battle and it seems the physical army before you is quite overwhelming, just know there is an army of angels eager and able to protect and deliver you to victory, but only on the Lord’s schedule!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, where I am faced with any forces raised against me, I know there is an army far greater than of the enemy, whose trust I put in you for victory belongs to you, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
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06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
