Nougat 2

I’m thinking about Peter this morning. He’s my favorite you know. Looking for a real, down to earth, spontaneous, loud, but totally loyal disciple, and he’s your man. You also knew where you stood with Peter, he wore his heart on his sleeve. He probably was Jesus’ #1 fan!

Yet, when we least expect it, Peter denied knowing Jesus. Just like that, he slipped and almost lost his faith, even as he was preparing for his Messiah’s death. For the most part, we judge Peter and find him wanting. Rightly so. But what happened to Peter may also be seen as a warning, as articulated in today’s Holy Nougat.

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s clear that Paul wasn’t necessarily speaking about Peter. Yet the warning is so apt for that aspect of his life. And of course, we should heed the warning for ourselves. For, when we least expect it to happen, it could be us.

No one is exempt from temptation, not even you or me. Remember, Jesus faced His shame of temptations, including the famous forty-day fast of Luke 4; and Peter’s rebuke in Matthew 27:21-22. It’s worth noting that neither temptation came with early warning systems. The enemy of our souls does not operate like that. So we must always be on high alert. Especially if we are on a spiritual ‘high’ or things are going well.

Stemming from his own experiences, Peter warns, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬). I dare say we heed the warning, because that enemy of our souls is an opportunist. It’s precisely when we least expect, that the enemy strikes.

May we be prayerfully watching in all things.

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May all we seek be found in Christ