“Peter declared, ‘Even if all fall away, I will not.’ ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘today —- yes tonight — before the rooster crows twice, you yourself will disown me three times.’ But Peter insisted emphatically, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the others said the same” (Mark14:29-31).
There will be times in our lives that we will be put to the test. As we see from the above passage, Peter and the others had a strong confidence in themselves. They believed that they would never behave in such a way that brought them shame. They just knew that when their faith was tested by public pressures that they would shine with amazing courage and faithfulness, as they had an expectation of success. With that, they had an expectation that their behavior would be honorable. So, just how did that turn out? It did not turn out to be true since when push came to shove, they all ran and were scattered like timid frightened sheep. “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or death” (Philippians1:21). It is just possible that the apostle Paul had learned from their example not to boast about himself, but only to boast about the Lord. That being said, his expectation is not based on his own courage and strength, but on the Lord. What a wonderful lesson this is for all of us today. The courage and strength we will reflect in our lives when put to the test is not ours but comes through the Lord. “I can do everything through Him who strengthens me” (Philippines 4:13).
Mark Seim