Continued from yesterday’s post…

The Roman mob comes to arrest Jesus and here are the disciples, probably jaw-dropped at this point, having no clue as to their role in this situation.  What do the disciples do?  Peter (John ratted him out) grabs a sword to save the day, save the world in his mind and rescue Jesus.  Or so he thinks. 

⁵² “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands^[h] of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? ⁵⁴ But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”

Oh I am so guilty of this (I have yet to cut off someone’s ear)…but I do get in God’s way and try to save the day or rescue myself from anything discomforting.  Financial trouble – quick let me get a job, any job will do.  Discipline problems – quick let me fix my kids and ride them how ever long it takes until they turn into obedient angels (hasn’t happened yet).  Marriage struggles- quick let me do everything I can to ‘change’ my husband (that’s an act of God).  Sickness – quick let me eat everything as healthy as can be and exercise every minute I can squeeze in, or better yet, maybe I can worry about it every second I have and drive my body further into despair.  Kid’s making bad choices- quick let me freak out and call all my friends for advice and read every book they tell me to and try every crazy quick-fix-my-kid suggestion.

Sound familiar? I am a master at REACTING…and it’s the quick, no time for thought reaction. Panic sets in when we are not alert and alive in God’s word.  He has a plan, He fulfills that plan.  We are called to know Him, praise Him, love Him, and live in Him…and then spread that wisdom and love to the world.  We are not called to spread anxiety, stress, worry, or doubt.  The world has enough unbelievers…we are believers…and so we must spread BELIEF!

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Dear Father-

Praise Your name that You have overcome the world…all the mess of the world has been diminished by You.  It is not left for us to hash through, mull over or become accustomed to.  We are not called to live in it, but to rise above the troubles of the world with praise and worship of our Creator, our Lover, our God.  In You may I live each day, alert and alive, ready for Your goodness.  I love you!

A

Source :Matthew 26:52-54, NLT; John 16:33, NIV