"But Peter said to Him, ‘Even though all may fall away, yet I will not.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.’ But Peter kept saying insistently, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’ And they all were saying the same thing also" Mark 14:29-31.

You have likely heard that promises are made to be broken. Often promises are hastily made in the moment, without any thought as to the challenge of keeping that promise. Such seems to have been the case with “impetuous Peter,” as he is often called. Of all Jesus’ disciples, Peter seems to have been the clear leader, misguided as he often was.

Proverbs 16:18 states, “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling,” and Peter certainly exemplified that. That very evening, when Peter’s resolve dissolved in the heat of Jesus’ trial, he stumbled greatly. But, for proud Peter his stumbling was not his destruction, but rather a major turning point. We read that, after his triple denials, he “went out and wept bitterly” Matthew 26:75. Repentance led to restoration (John 21:15-17), and Peter would go on to be a bold, empowered witness for the Christ he had previously denied.

We are not immune to the perils of pride. We may view Peter with contempt, but we have likely also denied Jesus. Our denials may not follow our strong assertions, as was the case with Peter, but in more subtle ways. Perhaps we denied by remaining silent when a word of witness and testimony would best serve the cause of Christ. Or, we have denied through compromise when a strong stand, though inconvenient and even costly, would have been the right course of action.

The inherent problem with Peter’s promises was that they were made through human determination rather than Spirit enabling. Therein is a great lesson for us. Our promises are made to be broken if they are hastily made, without counting the cost, and are to be kept by our own will.

Galatians 5:26 says, “walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” The way of the Spirit is steady perseverance in keeping promises. May we remain true to what we have promised, and to Whom we have promised, as we walk by the Spirit today.

Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/ & https://kingdomdreamer.blogspot.com/

Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045