Thursday, March 31, 2022
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
-St. Matthew 26:41
There is to be no compromise with the powers of darkness. Individually we must take our stand. If we are not at enmity with the prince of darkness, the serpent, his folds encircle us and all our powers; his sting is in our hearts. All who range themselves under the blood-stained banner of the Prince of Life will henceforth count Satan as a foe and will on God’s strength oppose him as a deadly enemy. They will take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And what will they do in order to hold vantage ground? “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints.” [Ephesians 6:18.] “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [Matthew 26:41.] {Lt30a-1892.10}
John, the loving disciple who had leaned on the breast of Jesus, was also sleeping. Surely, the love of John for his Master should have kept him awake. His earnest prayers should have mingled with those of his loved Saviour in the time of his supreme sorrow. The self-sacrificing Redeemer had passed entire nights in the cold mountains or in the groves, praying for his disciples, that their faith might not fail them in the hour of their temptation. Should Jesus now put to James and John the question he had once asked them: “Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” they would not have ventured to answer, “We are able.” {3SP 97.2}
The evidence of the weakness of his disciples excited the pity and sympathy of the Son of God. He questioned their strength to endure the test they must undergo in witnessing his betrayal and death. He did not sternly upbraid them for their weakness, but, in view of their coming trial, exhorted them: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” Then, his spirit moving in sympathy with their frailty, he framed an excuse for their failure in duty toward him: “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” {3SP 98.1}
Heart Questions: Are you standing alone for God or are you compromising with the powers of evil? Do you want to be an overcomer of temptation and sin? Are you ranging yourself under the blood-strained banner of the Prince of Life? Are you praying always in supplication in the Spirit? Can you drink of the cup that the Lord gave you or are you drinking of the Lord’s cup? Your carnal nature might be weak but if you are indeed willing and watching and praying remember taking the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit will be an overcomer.
- Pray for endurance and strength not to compromise with the powers of darkness and instead to take your stand, to stand for Jesus.
- Pray for a spirit of repentance and humility regarding the times you have not been personally faithful to God and not allowing the Holy Spirit to helping you to become an overcomer.
- Pray that church members in Barbados would understand that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is a prophetic movement with a prophetic message entrusted by heaven with a very special prophetic mission, and now is the time to shine for God’s glory.
- Pray that God’s people would continue to be faithful with their tithes and offerings even in the midst of current economic challenges.