April 4

Matthew 26

Jesus is betrayed and arrested.

INSIGHT

Peter is living and reassuring proof that “grace is greater than all our sin.” We struggle, at one time or another, with things in our lives that ought to be corrected but aren’t. We fear that our lives bring a stench to God’s nostrils because we have failed Him so often. But Peter began to curse and swear and deny that he ever knew Jesus. What a colossal sin! Yet, just a few days later (in John 21), Peter is eating with the Lord in perfect fellowship and harmony. For the Christian, there is no sin so great that God will not forgive.

PRAYER

Because Jesus gave up His preeminence for our sake and became a servant, we praise His unselfishness:
Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! (1 Chronicles 16:28-29 ).
I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the
Lord Most High (Psalm 7:17).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
O my God: I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God;
for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads,
and our guilt has grown up to the heavens (Ezra 9:6).

Confess any personal sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

• The renewing of your mind
• The needs of your extended family
• Your activities for the day
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
Blessed is the man who trusts in You! Psalm 84:11-12).