Good morning! How are we faithing? When Jesus was about to be carried off and crucified Simon Peter stood up boldly saying "no way Lord are they gonna get you, I'll stop that", (paraphrased and my take). Picture this man standing up ready to smack down anyone coming at Jesus and then Jesus says;

Luk 22:31-34  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not. And when you are converted, strengthen your brothers.  And he said to Him, Lord, I am ready to go with You, both into prison and into death.  And He said, I say to you, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day before you shall deny knowing Me three times. 

And what happens? Peter denied Jesus three times. Out of fear? Probably and also I think he was lost in his own mind as to what was happening. Imagine after all he saw the last three years and now an abrupt end, foretold, was going down. Once he denied and the cock crowed, all the things of Jesus came full speed into his minds eye. He went out and wept from deep within knowing he failed Jesus. Can you imagine? Just the thought of myself denying Jesus is heart breaking. Deny my eternal savior because of physical harm here? I pray it never happens to us.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for salvation for a lot like us. We pray for strength when facing our adversary. We pray we are ready to stand strong in the face of the darkness in this world. We ask for courage to stand for the weak and to lift those who need our help. In Jesus name, amen