the Lord does not accomplish much. Doubtless Peter felt con victed as the Lord spoke to him. So we need to be careful and kind in all we do, making certain that our efforts are for the glory of Cod and the blessing of others. AN ANGRY DISCIPLE We can learn a great deal by care fully observing the spiritual down fall of Simon Peter as recorded in the gospels. When the Lord was betrayed in the garden, and led away, this impetuous disciple, now in a backslidden state, followed the scene “afar off." He wanted to see what was going on but he did not want to get involved. He was like some Christians who come to church late and leave early. There was no real desire for commit ment. There was a dear lady in one of my churches who gave me a clip ping many years ago which I still have. There was a big, old tree sketched on it with limbs all branching out. The leaves were all off the tree and sitting up in the tree were different birds. Over yonder, on one side, was a crow, on the other a robin, with other fowl including a hawk, a night owl, a sparrow and many others. Across the bottom of the page each bird had a number with the descrip tion, "There are the birds that are up the 'miffed tree' in our church." The crow represented the chair man of the deacon board who had gotten mad at the last board meet ing. The bird's head was hanging down. The song sparrow was num ber two and represented the choir director. He was all upset because the previous week the preacher had changed two of the musical
Peter was asleep when he should have been praying. His life of in tercession was blighted. Perhaps he foolishly felt he could sleep since he was so “spiritual." Maybe this is why so many Christians do not go to church and prayer meet ing. There are not any substitutes for private praying nor for assem bling with other believers of like precious faith. Friend, if you- are losing out in the area of prayer, you are losing out everywhere. This is another evidence that Si mon Peter was backsliding on the inside. Later, when Christ was betrayed in the garden, Scripture says that Peter drew a sword and smote a servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Another evidence of his backsliding is this blind zeal. He was trying to defend Christ, showing his love. The rest had all left the Lord. We have to give Peter credit for this. The last miracle Jesus performed was because of Peter's backslidden condition. He restored the servant's ear. The balance wheel of prayer, the governor in Peter's life ordin arily controlling him, was gone. He went on a rampage trying to prove to Christ that he loved Him by his actions. This never will work. You do not love this way but by unbroken fellowship with Him. Outward service can never make up for an inward loss of pri vate devotion. Service does not take the place of prayer. It was not necessary for Peter to draw his sword. It was really an unwise and unreasonable act. Un fortunately, we do so many good things so poorly. Peter really aimed to cut off the head of that man and missed miserably. Such service for
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