Home  Articles  Site map

There is no doubt that Peter loved Jesus sincerely and was willing to obey Him in everything. Peter said he was even willing to lay down his life for Jesus even if everyone else deserted Jesus (Mt.26:33,35). This was why God was able to reveal to Peter the secret that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, the Messiah that Israel was waiting for (16:16,17). But like most people, he did not know the depth of the weakness of our flesh (26:41). So, when the temptation came, he fell miserably. The redeeming point was that when he fell, he wept bitterly in repentance (v.75). He went on to lead the early church as an apostle.

Moses felt that with all his Egyptian learning and princely training he was going to deliver the people of Israel from slavery. He took matters into his own hands and went ahead, only to have to flee from Egypt and spend the next 40 years in a desert looking after sheep. But when he had finally lost all his confidence in himself, God was able to recall him to Egypt to actually be the deliverer.

Jacob may have heard from his mother how God had chosen him over his elder brother Esau to carry on the family lineage. Without knowing God personally, he used his own scheming skills to usurp the birthright from Esau and get the blessing from his father through deceit. But years later he came to see his own helplessness without God, when he heard that Esau was coming towards him with armed men! Finally he learnt to place his entire confidence in God and God was able to bless him.

Joseph was the favorite son of his father, and when God gave him dreams to indicate the call He had on Joseph's life, he did not hesitate to tell his brothers and parents. It took 13 years of slavery and prison life to prepare him with humility, so that when he was exalted in Egypt he was able to deal with his brothers in a kind way (Ps.105:19).

Paul, who used to boast of his Hebrew lineage, theological training and reputation as a Pharisee, had to fall down as a persecutor, blasphemer and an associate with killing, before he could truly bend down before the lordship of Jesus the Christ. He became willing to count all things apart from Jesus as worthless (Php.3:7).

Have we learnt this lesson in our own life? What is our boasting, if only within our own mind if not before people? Is it our race, colour, looks, family, education, wealth, social status, etc., that makes us think we are special? Have we learnt that without Christ we can do nothing (Jn.15:5)? Without the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we can't touch anyone deeply, or do any work for God, however much knowledge or natural skills we have. God does not want us to think up new ideas and do many things for Him, but to do just what He wants (1Co.4:2 TLB). Have we come to the place of brokenness before God in our own eyes that we cling to God for leading and anointing for His work to be done through us according to His will, by His strength and for His glory (Ro.11:36)?

Tweet