Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Peter was proud. His pride blinded him. And he acted out of character because his pride was damaged.

When Jesus did not fight like Peter wanted to on the Mount of Olives, Peter became fearful. He fled. Then he followed at a distance. And he finally denied him.

I think Peter’s actions here are a good example of some of my sinful behaviors in the past. Fear does not exist in the same room as sacrificial love. Once I give fear a foothold, I will follow at a distance.

The denial and cursing and all of the ways he fell, this was his knee jerk sinful reactions to not being prepared through prayer and in thought for Jesus’ arrest.

What am I so unprepared for that it would throw me into a tailspin, like Peter was here? How can I build the discipline to trust God in every situation? What daily habits can I build to lean on his power, love, and grace?

Lord, thank you for your truth which permeates through my heart and challenges me to prepare to fight my spiritual battles. Keep me grounded in your love and eager to serve others!