Peter insisted emphatically,
“Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.”
(Mark 14:31, NIV)

Big boasts.
Bold promises.
Good intentions.
Peter sincerely wanted to,
and intended to,
follow Jesus all the way to death.

But he didn’t realize his own weakness.
“The spirit is willing, but the body is weak” (Mark 14:38b, NIV).

He neglected prayer.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Mark 14:38a).

As a result, while Jesus stood firm in the face of imminent death,
Peter crumbled in weakness and fear.
He denied not only Christ
but everything he believed and
everything he was.

Lord, I’m like Peter.
I have no strength in myself, and
I don’t know what lies ahead.
I need You every moment in every way.
Help me to remember my utter weakness,
to watch and pray,
to hide myself in You.