Matthew 26:31-33

Matthew 26:31-33 (ESV): “31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.””

Self-confidence is a slippery slope. Too little of it can keep you from doing the will of God. Too much of it can cause you to do everything in your own strength. Those who get this wrong are headed for trouble.

After the Passover meal was finished, Jesus told His disciples another difficult truth: all of them would fall away from Him that very night. Their faith would be shaken when the Shepherd was struck, just as the prophet Zechariah had foretold. Peter quickly spoke up and said, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus assured him that he would, in fact, deny Him three times before the rooster crowed.

How confident are you in your ability to remain faithful to Jesus? Hopefully your answer is, “I am weak, but He is strong.” If so, you are positioned well. Peter’s downfall was not a lack of love for Christ but an overconfidence in the strength of his own devotion. He believed he could stand firm in his own resolve, but he quickly discovered how weak he truly was. The same danger exists for us. We must walk in His strength and empowerment, for apart from Him we can do nothing. As we learn to depend on Him daily, we will find the strength to remain faithful when trials come. Amen?

Father, thank You for giving us the strength we need to live the Christian life. Protect us from pride and self-reliance. Keep us dependent upon You we pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.