Scriptural Readings: Luke 22:62; Matthew 16:22-23
There is this built in thing in us called defeat. This thing is not really new for most of us. When we face problems, we also have this anticipating attitude of a lost battle. This is one attitude that we should lose. What really matters even when we lose the battle we learn something from the Lord and this is a win-win result for us Christians.
Luke 22:62
Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
Peter who is the rock as Jesus told him and just like you and I went to lost battles too. Having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ during that time was not still enough for him to make his life worthy as a disciple only after he went through with a lot of rough times, shaken him, leaving all the things that the Lord wanted him to be. The Lord knows we are not perfect but how many of us(Christians)just like Peter came out and wept bitterly. Weeping before God is humbling ourselves in His presence.
Matthew 16:22-23
v. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
v. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Several times Peter had to insist his good intentions of what he wanted for our Lord Jesus but he got the things he never expected instead and to make things matter worst a time of rebuke from the Lord Jesus in return. Why? Although Peter’s intention was that of the Lord’s sake, it was not God’s will.
The devil cannot conquer us though, we are covered by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ but once in while when we are caught up unaware of our intentions and if we are not careful with our decisions(sometimes ridiculous!)we end up the wrong and on the losing side.
So, what do we see here? First, the Lord Jesus is always patient with us. He continually reconstruct us. He gives us hope. He makes things possible for us to continually having fellowship with Him all over again. Just like Peter who wept bitterly, humbled himself, repented from his mistakes and finally, continue to live under the grace of our Lord Jesus.
Second, the Lord empowers us with the Holy Spirit. He makes us, then He will make us do it, His will. This is why we have to submit to Him unconditionally in order that he can continually make us the person He wants us to be and for His will for us to do it.
Yes, you and I are sinners but we must remember that we are God’s children and forgiven sinners. We are the one’s who will take this spiritual battle to the end and it starts by turning ourselves to Jesus Christ guidance through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Yes, we’re in a war. A spiritual war. We should be having a well planned strategy before we go to the battle ground. We should not make our own decisions. We must follow the instructions. Instructions(His will) from our Lord Jesus and our weapon the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot afford to be defeated and ending up losers all over again. He will make us and we can do it.