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May 08, 2023 18:30pm

Make Time for Jesus

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I drove away, tears streaming down my cheeks. The hurt was deep. I had experienced it before, but this time it was fresh, raw emotion. They had warned me. When they all first heard we we’re dating, they told me of past relationships and stories. But I didn’t listen. I didn’t want to believe them. That may have happened to those other girls, but not to me. I was different. Why would he want to do that to me? IF those stories were true, I could change him.

I didn’t listen.

I pridefully did as I wanted to.

And I was left heartbroken, just as they had warned. And their words played over and over in my head as I drove away.

“And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.” (Mark 14:66-72)

Peter had boldly claimed that he was a trusted and loyal follower of Jesus Christ. He was quick to jump to the defense of Jesus or to boast about his Lord. But, Jesus had told Peter that even he would desert Jesus. He had predicted that before the rooster crowed twice, Peter would have denied him 3 times.

Peter couldn’t believe it. There was no way he would do that to Jesus. He was so sure of himself. He knew he was faithful to the Lord and would never do such a thing.

And then, it happened, just as Jesus said it would. That’s where we find Peter, remembering what the Lord had said. And when he did, he wept.

God’s Word offers warnings and instruction on situations and temptations to avoid. There are direct commands of what to do and not do in order to avoid pain, disease, and sin against God. And when we are in a place of temptation, it’s His word that we call back to our minds, just as Peter did.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

But how can we remember the words if we don’t read them? How can they deter us from sin if we don’t know them?

Time spent in the Word of God is time well spent. It prepares us for battle. It corrects us when we are wrong. It instructs us in the way we should go. It provides historical accounts of examples for us to follow or learn from their mistakes. The Word of God fills us when we are hungry, satisfying the longings deep within us for truth and love.

As you go through life and difficult situations, the Holy Spirit will bring to mind scriptures you’ve read to encourage, correct or bring you to a place of repentance. Like Peter, walking with the Lord daily doesn’t mean we will never experience trials or tribulations. But time spent with Him each day will bring to mind His words and instruction.

There are far too many things that can take away our focus from what we need to do every day. Will you commit to spending time in the Word of God on a daily basis? Make time for it just as you would going to work, eating, working out, or anything else that fills up your schedule.

Is He not worthy of our time?