It seems sometimes that if God ask us to cross a desert or fight a giant we would be much more willing than when He tells us we only must lie down, believe, and rest in His work. May it please Him that He may show mercy and cause us to lie down in His pastures and feed on His word. I pray He gives us patience and faith and in His time understanding.
Extra Credit: Sadly I can relate to todays recommended devotion. Not His situation, (It was written from William Tiptaft bed as He lie deathly ill), but the crosses he trys to avoid. We know we should trust and believe, but like him (and the subject of his letter) I am a very dull scholar in Christ School
Jhn 13:6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
Jhn 13:7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
- What is the picture in washing feet alone?
Instead of submitting to the sovereign Lord performing His will. Instead of bowing to the service and acts of Christ, Peter speaks in ignorance. Oh to often we know not what say, or we pretend to know Gods will. Peter ought to have known and trusted the acts of His Lord. He should have had faith in their purpose and meaning. But like us, and oh to many times like myself, we are slow to learn and dull in discernment. Instead of patience and gladly receiving the grace of God we speak hastily and in ignorance. Instead of submitting to the works of Christ we try to add to or redo what He has done. What sin troubles us all daily? Our ignorance and flesh, which cannot see or understand His purpose without His intercession, our lack of faith and knowledge when left to ourselves, all leave us without excuse and reveals our sins. But it pleases Him to give His grace. Look forward from our text, how beautiful the complete picture is. That despite Peters ignorance, transgressions, outward blasphemy, error, lack of faith, and sins that it pleased the Lord to wash away the filth of Peters feet. Oh may God grant us a portion of the measure of this grace and give us patience and faith that what we knowest not that in His time we may understand.
(John 16:12)
