Are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." (Mark 14:37)
A comedian once said, “I can never seem to sleep as comfortably at home as I do at church” This humorous story becomes tragic when we really think about the consequences of not being available for use by God because we are not paying attention at the very time we could be useful. The Christian is called on to watch as well as pray (Luke 21:36) and to work while it is day (John 9:4) The Bible puts a high premium on being ready when it is time to take action.
In Mark’s account of Jesus, Peter, James and John in the Garden of Gethsemane; it was drawing close to the hour when Jesus would be arrested and put on trial and he had asked the disciples to watch while he went to pray. They couldn’t stay awake so he admonished them and made the statement about the flesh being weak. We must realize that in our current state as physical beings, we lack what we need to fight spiritual battles by ourselves. Waking up requires that we put our trust, confidence and faith in God to provide us with the spiritual nourishment we need to stand during our periods of test and trial. If we attempt it on our own, we like the disciples will fall short of what is required to stand the test. Don’t ever attempt to confront your obstacles without praying for the help to overcome them.
Before you begin your day in earnest, pray for the strength to overcome the limitations of the flesh. Stay awake today.
Deacon Larry Woodard
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