ARE YOU READY FOR WHAT’S COMING?
Mark 14:37-42
37 He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And once more he came and found them sleeping, because their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. 41 He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up, let us be going. Look, my betrayer is approaching.”
strong spirit, weak flesh
They had a simple task: stay awake and pray, resisting the time of temptation. Each had recoiled at the suggestion that they would deny their Saviour. But when the time came, they were not prepared. The attack that first came was weary drowsiness. Then they got caught napping, which embarrassed them, and led to more weakness. By the third time, the battle was over. Their weak flesh was no match for the temptation thgey faced.
No matter how strong your theology, no matter how strong your devotional life, if you have not learned discipline, you can expect to lose battles like this.
Get into the word, so that you can hear God speaking to you during your time alone with him. Spend time in prayer – not just for people on your list, but for awareness – sensitivity to what is going on around you.
LORD, forgive us for taking the easy, sleepy road. Make us warriors who are self-disciplined, prepared for whatever we may face.
My full-time job ended last week. Now I have to work at self-discipline all the time.