"Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. 'Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?' he asked Peter. 'Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak'." Matthew 26:40-41 (NIV)
We are nearing the hour when Jesus would be betrayed and God's final actions of eternal salvation would begin. Jesus was sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane while His disciples slept nearby. All He asked them to do was "watch and pray." I know there are times when the Holy Spirit has burdened me to watch and pray and I have been so tired or distracted that I was overcome. I sometimes wonder how the disciples didn't "get it" that Jesus was going to die in a short while. Why weren't they overcome with anguish and fear? It's as if they didn't realize what was going to happen until it finally did and then they were shocked and dismayed. Then I remember that they didn't have the benefit of the Holy Spirit just yet. They were not endowed with the Counselor (John 15:26) to encourage them and help them understand what was going to happen. I sometimes take for granted that I am eternally saved from the devil's damnation and I have foregone a prayer time to "get busy." But we have no greater gift that our ability to talk to God and "watch and pray" for the trials and temptations in our lives. When Jesus was in the ultimate distress all He wanted to do was talk to His Father. He simply asked His friends to talk to Him too. He didn't take matters into His own hands, which He could have easily done, but he relinquished His power to allow God's plan to unfold. Oh, if we would only relinquish our worldly powers to do the same...
We are nearing the hour when Jesus would be betrayed and God's final actions of eternal salvation would begin. Jesus was sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane while His disciples slept nearby. All He asked them to do was "watch and pray." I know there are times when the Holy Spirit has burdened me to watch and pray and I have been so tired or distracted that I was overcome. I sometimes wonder how the disciples didn't "get it" that Jesus was going to die in a short while. Why weren't they overcome with anguish and fear? It's as if they didn't realize what was going to happen until it finally did and then they were shocked and dismayed. Then I remember that they didn't have the benefit of the Holy Spirit just yet. They were not endowed with the Counselor (John 15:26) to encourage them and help them understand what was going to happen. I sometimes take for granted that I am eternally saved from the devil's damnation and I have foregone a prayer time to "get busy." But we have no greater gift that our ability to talk to God and "watch and pray" for the trials and temptations in our lives. When Jesus was in the ultimate distress all He wanted to do was talk to His Father. He simply asked His friends to talk to Him too. He didn't take matters into His own hands, which He could have easily done, but he relinquished His power to allow God's plan to unfold. Oh, if we would only relinquish our worldly powers to do the same...
Many years ago, I read several of Catherine Marshall's books. She emphasized the power of relinquishment. It is truly a mighty truth of God's kingdom. I believe most Christians struggle with this issue. It is so hard to let go of our problems, ministries, families, etc. and simply give all to God. However, when we do, we release his power to work in our lives and situations. God is in the process of dealing with me about this very issue in my life. I want to yield to his Holy Spirit and allow him to have his perfect work. If only I will let go for good and not pick things up again after laying them down. Thank you for your inspiring words this evening. Many blessings! Have a great Sunday!
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