Matthew 26:22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely not I, Lord?”

To me it speaks extremely well of the disciples that they each recognized that they were capable of betraying Jesus, though they didn’t want to believe it. We are at our weakest when we think we’re in good shape! That’s why Paul issued his famous warning, “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12) Put in a similar situation as the disciples here, we are all too likely to start trying to figure out who would do such a dastardly thing, instead of examining ourselves to see if we are the one. Genuine self-confidence is a very dangerous thing. We can and indeed should have assurance that God has made us competent to do that which He asks of us, (2 Corinthians 3:5) but thinking we’ve got it taken care of apart from Him is very dangerous indeed. That’s why it was a blessing and not a curse that God allowed Paul to have his “thorn in the flesh,” to teach him better to rely fully on God and not on himself. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) As Paul said after that revelation, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” We are not to be masochists and we are not to be hesitant, always doubting ourselves, but we must recognize that any strength or ability we have comes from God and not from ourselves, and so depend on Him rather than on whatever abilities He has given us.

This is certainly relevant to me! The Lord has given me a wide variety of abilities, and I have been quite prone to rely on the abilities and my use of them, rather than on the One who gave them to me. I’ve had my share of failures for that very reason! Right now, when my schedule is making many demands on me, the Lord is allowing physical difficulties to remind me that in Him I can do it all, but I have no hope of doing so if I don’t rely on Him. That’s not a bad thing! I am to give God thanks and praise for each thing He allows in my life, while at the same time standing firm against everything that originates with the devil. I am to be the resource person the YWAM team needs, without thinking I’m the “guru,” or something. God has good plans for these two weeks, but they will be fulfilled only as we listen to Him and let Him direct and use us.

Father, thank You for the good start we’ve gotten with this team. The thought that they will be here for two weeks is a bit daunting, but I know that in You, everything will go very well indeed. I ask Your protection and guidance for them as they go into Nagasaki City today, as well as for Cathy and me as we deal with responsibilities here in Omura. May each of us recognize what You have for us to do and rejoice to be obedient, in Your strength, wisdom and power, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!