PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 26:40-46
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)
Jesus understands that His disciples are tired.
He knows they mean well, that their spirits are willing.
But given the situation, He urges them to pray harder for God’s strength.
Because not even willing spirits is enough for what is about to happen.
In my experience, not only is my flesh weak but my spirit is weak too.
Sometimes I am willing and determined, but other times I lose my fire and focus.
As Jesus followers we need to admit our weakness and constantly seek God’s help.
His Spirit is willing and strong; He can sustain us through every crisis.
Our strength and hope is in “Him Who is able to keep you from stumbling” (Jude 1:24).
God knows my willingness and my weakness, and how my weakness limits my willingness.
My spirit is weak, but partnered with His Spirit I am stronger (2 Peter 1:3ff).
Jesus is reminding His disciples that God’s grace is available, if they seek it.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
As I seek His strength, He adds His strength to my weak spirit and flesh!
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!
Submission but not giving up. Submission to the will of my physical body, its desires -can conflict with my desire to be more like Jesus – to be more spirit driven. I must not give up, but strive to be more Holy Spirit driven then driven by my physical desires – I must submit those desires to the spirit’s leading. I am willing but find myself in conflict at times both in my flesh and spirit- help me to stand strong and contrite when I fail – finding my strength in Jesus – only then can I resist and be more HS driven.
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Christ is the example to follow. He has shown the way. His Spirit must lead me and strengthen me because by myself, I am weak, unable to do His will, to follow Him in my living for Jesus. Each day I need to dress myself with His armour so that I am able to meet the challenges of the day. I need to rise in that power for He has promised to enable me by His Spirit. SpiritLed. Enabled. For He is the wind beneath my wings.
1
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.