May 29, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 26:40-46
OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION
The line that speaks to me today is ‘the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.’
I can relate to this, my heart wants better than my life is realizing.
This reminds me of Paul in Romans 7:18-20 — “I want to do what is good, but I can’t. I don’t do the good things I want to do. I keep on doing the evil things I don’t want to do. I do what I don’t want to do.”
One of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control (Galatians 5:23); it is not enough for my spirit to be willing, it needs to be able, and the Spirit of God makes it able.
I have to admit my weakness, my need for God’s help to overcome my body (flesh, sinful nature).
I do note that Jesus doesn’t even bother to wake them the second time, He knows they are weak.
God knows my willingness and my weakness, and how my weakness limits my willingness.
God has given me everything I need to succeed (2 Peter 1:3ff) through my partnership with His Spirit; but I have to do my part, to make every effort to build on my feeble faith and willingness.
I cannot do it by myself, but neither will God do it by Himself for me… I need to do my part with Him!
Today’s reading reminds me that God knows my weakness, but it also challenges me to admit it, and to do my part to do better, with His help.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, both my spirit and body are weak. May today’s words provoke me to do more than admit my weakness, may I be inspired to make every effort to be stronger with Your Spirit’s help!
Observations:
Three times. Three time the Lord spoke to the disciples to keep watch. Watch and pray but they fell asleep. Yet the Lord did not get angry at them. He continue His talk with the Father, knowing what was to come and meeting the challenges. Your will be done. Empowered by prayer Jesus meets what needs to be accomplished.
Application:
So often when faced by trials and temptations, we pray that those things be taken away instead of asking to overcome – walk us through Lord. Walk with the risen Saviour each day and He will supply and provide. Lean upon the everlasting cross and not on my personal striving. I myself can’t do it yet Christ alive and living in me enables me to be His champion.
Walking in His ‘SonShine’ i Haiti is only a possibility because of my risen Saviour for the joy of the Lord God is my strength. I choose to live for Him and it is by His grace I can.
Prayer:
Enable me this day Lord to stand up for You in all I do and say.
In doubt and temptation I rest, Lord, in Thee;
My hand is in Thy hand, Thou carest for me;
My soul with Thy counsel through life Thou wilt guide,
And afterward make me in glory abide.
Refrain
My God, I will extol Thee
And ever bless Thy Name;
Each day will I give thanks to Thee
And all Thy praise proclaim.
In glory Thou only my portion shall be,
On earth for none other I long for but Thee;
My flesh and heart falter, but God is my stay,
The strength of my spirit, my portion for aye.
Refrain
All they that forsake Thee must perish and die,
But near to my Savior most blessèd am I;
I make Thee my refuge, my Lord and my God;
Thy grace and Thy glory I publish abroad.