Feb 21 2008
Thursday, Feb 21st
Reading for today: Genesis 15:1-6 and Matthew 17:1-13
“Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’” - Matthew 17:4
Peter spoke foolishly, likely not knowing what to say but thinking that he should say something, anything. Moses and Elijah would probably have told him the same thing angels tell to anyone who attempts to elevate them above mere men: don’t worship us, worship God alone! Seek always to understand, don’t jump to conclusions, ask questions, learn why you believe what you believe, test what people say against what God’s Word says. I’m glad that Peter is in the Bible. God’s Word shows us that, although we can and often do act foolishly, it is His design to work through foolish people.
I am also thankful for the men Jesus chose to follow Him. There is comfort in knowing that they truly were but mere men. They followed thier Lord knowing that there was no other that they wished to be with though they struggled at times with doubt, pride and simple foolishness. I find comfort in knowing that Jesus never gave up on any of them loving them all even Judas at that last kiss. We follow a great and mighty God and in Him we find and have all that we need, desire and hope for. May we today be reminded of His love for each one of us no matter where we are or how we are feeling or what trials may be about us or what foolishness we may have spoken, our God is far greater than all these things and so much more.
Look up this day and see His glory, His face shining as the sun, His clothes so white, His love so real. Be encouraged my friend for no matter where you are this day in your walk, the Almighty and powerful God of this universe, our humble and loving Savior Jesus Christ only desires that we draw near to Him that He in return may draw near to us. Thank You Lord Jesus for loving me.
Peter was quick to say things. Often he would speak first and think later. Sometimes Peter said the right thing but sometimes he said the wrong thing. I tend to be a lot like Peter. But have, through embarrassment and pain, become much more careful then I used to be.
My son Ryan, with a beaufiful heart for God, struggles with this as well.
But thank the Lord I will be able to help him through this at 12 years old, by God’s Word, (and sharing my mistakes) to overcome/control this.
There is a word which describes people like Peter. It is the word IMPULSIVE. An impulsive person is one who acts suddenly based on a sudden impulse or a sudden feeling, without really stopping to think about what he is doing. Another good word that describes people like Peter is the word IMPETUOUS. This word is similar in meaning to the word “impulsive.” The word “impetuous” describes a person who is marked by sudden, unthinking actions and who speaks or moves quickly and hastily.
Are there times when we need to act quickly? If a little child walks onto a busy street, should you spend five. minutes thinking about what you should do? If your teacher in school asks you to run an errand, should you say, “Give me about ten minutes to think about whether I should do that or not”? No, we should be quick to obey and we should obey right away! We should be quick to help those in need and those in danger. If someone asks you if you are a Christian, it should not take you a week to come up with an answer! We should be quick to confess the Lord Jesus as our Saviour and Lord (Rom. 10:9-10). I can think of other times when it is right to be quick in acting or quick in speaking?
An impulsive person is often quick in the wrong way. He jumps too soon. He needs to learn to look before he leaps. He needs to learn to slow down in a good way and not just do something when he suddenly feels like it. Peter needed to learn this, and so do we.
I know, for me, I’ve lost the trust of people I love dearly because of this implusiveness. It’s a part of my charater flaw that needs constant
gaurding and prayer. This way the Lord can take what the enemy means use for evil, and use for His good.
Let’s learn from Peter! Peter learned some valuable lessons from his own mistakes. The Lord has recorded many of these things in His Word, the Bible, so that we can learn these lessons also.
I am so thankful for God’s love & grace in my life. I need it every day! And I need time alone with Him each day. I’ve found that when I draw near to Him through His Word & prayer, He always draws near to me. We also thought it was inte esting that Peter said in Matt. 17:4 ” Lord, if you wish, let us build 3 tents.” Jesus did not answer his prayer the way Peter wanted It was not His will that they do this. How I need to learn that God’s will is always best for my life, even if His answer to my prayer is no.
When I read the devo today the first thing that came to my mind was Peter’s first thought, Lord it’s good for us to be here. Isn’t good for us to spend time with the Lord. To be in His presence. It’s so very good. I understand that Peter might have jumped the gun a little bit without considering what he was saying, but as one who always cheers for the underdog, and wanting to see the best in everyone, I just love the genuine sweet spirit in Peter and his first intention of just loving to be with his Lord. You go Peter!
I would love to believe that the Lord’s Church today would react to Peter the way Donna has expressed. But I’m concerned if he would here today in most of the churches in America; he would be looked at as a man not suitable to be a leader. Right up to the time of his confrontation with Paul; nothing indicated in the word that he ever had
control of this piece of his character. But I believe and know God used him and will with all of us just the way we are, if we are willing and desire to be used by Him, and let him have His way with everything about who we are today, trusting Him to make any necessary changes. And for us as His Church to continually follow His 1 Cor 13 guideline/barometer of His Love with and for each other.
When we are willing, he is willing….
I think sometimes we tend to look at the negitive in situations and I always try to see what is good. With Peter, I choose to see his goodness and his heart, his first thought, and give grace towards his mistake. Just the way Christ looks at us. He sees the good and we are recipients of His mercy and grace. Thank God that He looks pasts my faults and sees my need.
Amen Donna….
And when we do just that; “always try to see what is good” “Just the way Christ looks at us” We will take no action what-so-ever “at the negitive in situations”
I beleive too often we/the church tends to take action (and thought) on what our flesh my conclude by appearance. Rather then what is really going on in the heart. That is not of God, but of flesh. And we know that “the flesh profits nothing”.
And nothing in the greek meaning for this word means just that, nothing.
We we are told to “test all things/spirits”. This means to test in Spirit and Truth (His word), not by our fleshly sences. And even more so not by the word of another man
Jesus’ example of this is beautiful with all the people He dealt with.
The ones who LOOKED wrong He gave grace. The one who appeared right, He rebuked. So why are we so quick to judge outside?
I just want to say that is is imposible not to see the negitive in situation. And it would be foolish to think that Jesus does not SEE
these things in all of us. But He “took no action” on every impluse/feeling. Because He did not yeild to fleshly impulses. He listened/was obedient to the Father, even unto death.