Devotion for Friday, July 18, 2025

“Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword.  Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?  How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?” (Matthew 26:52-54)

We fight.  Fighting will cause loss.  Will not the Father do what is needed?  Yes, stand your ground, but violence begets violence.  Note that Peter was not reprimanded for having a sword, only for using force to try and stop what was going to happen.  Jesus needed to be arrested for our sake.  For this reason, always go to the Lord in prayer and not just react to things.  Seek the Father’s will in all things.

Lord, I am reactionary in this world filled with anxiety.  Teach me to keep my head and not react to things unless You lead.  Lead me according to Your will to see that only in You is there true hope.  Guide me so that I humbly submit to Your will and do what You would have me do.  It is a violent world, but I do not need to be one who promotes the violence.  Yet Lord, I do need to protect where it is needed.  Teach me the appropriate boundaries for these things.

Lord Jesus, You are always purposeful in all that You do.  I often do not understand what is coming.  Guide me so that I respond to You and do not react to situations.  Grant me prudence, temperance, and fortitude to fight every battle according to the Father’s will and by Your grace.  Help me to be faithful in all things, not reacting to this world of constant insanity and impatience.  Amen.