I Could Escape

Monday, February 17, 2025

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-Your peace-Your knowledge and discernment. Build my trust. I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name…

Memory verse: Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV)

23  Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Verse of the Day: Romans 8:37

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Daily Reading:  Leviticus 21-22 Matthew 28

I Could Escape

Matthew 26:53,54-”Don’t you realize that I am able right now to call to my Father, and twelve companies—more, if I want them—of fighting angels would be here, battle-ready? But if I did that, how would the Scriptures come true that say this is the way it has to be?”

Jesus was saying, “Yes, I could escape, but this is the way My Father says it has to be in the Holy Scriptures”.

How often have you taken the easy way out of something?

It is a human inclination to ‘take it easy’ and ‘let the chips fall where they may’. But the raw truth is that we must put in the work with body and mind-we must endure stress and pressure if we want to achieve the best.

Believers know that Jesus could have stopped it all and crushed the Romans and the Jewish leaders. He could have physically ruled the world-the entire world. Does that sound familiar?

Matthew 4: “ 8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9“All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.”…

Jesus had heard it all before. The same voice that had tempted Him back in Matthew 4 had hammered at Him all His ministry yet He had not sinned.

Whatever is facing us in this life is never stronger than God’s grace and power for us in Christ who went the entire distance-even death on the cross-for us.

We could escape-take the easy way out-be lazy-just get by-take the path of least resistance.

Or we can say as Jesus did, “Not what I want, God, but I will do what You say has to be done.”

Put in the work-in prayer-in the word-in meditation-in the world.

His grace is life.

...because He loves us…

Father in heaven,

I want to hallow Your name and obey and be holy and follow You. Give me what I need today. Forgive me for taking the easy way. Lead me away from listening to the world.

Constant friend and counselor,

In the name of Jesus,

Amen