“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a slave woman came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about” (Matthew 26:69-70).
We hide from the truth when we think we are threatened. Our instinct is to preserve our life by cowering, fleeing, or denying what we know to be true. At all costs, save yourself. But we cannot and will not. We need to be saved. Even though we deny the Lord, He will not deny those who come to Him in repentance. We are called to submit to the Lord and learn to obey all that He commands.
Lord, You know how I cower and how I am afraid. I am no different than every other sinner out there. I will lie to save my own skin. Guide me so that I do not live in fear, but live willingly proclaiming the truth with all that I am. You suffered more than I can imagine for my sake. Help me to pay the price for my faith knowing that You have given me what I need to be able to do even this.
Lord Jesus, You drank the cup of suffering as even those closest to You denied You. Teach me from this to have fortitude and stand firm in the faith You have given me. Lead me to not deny the truth, but speak it no matter the cost. You have told me that I too would suffer for Your name’s sake. Though I do not look for trouble, help me to stand firm in You when it comes. Amen.
