Relinquished Regret

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

D.L. MOODY
The flesh is weak. Is there anyone on Earth that dares to dispute that statement? Is there anything weaker under the sun than the human flesh? The spirit is willing. Most men would rather do the right thing, and even think they will do it. Tell them that they will do evil things inside of twelve months, and they would say, as the king did, “Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? No, never” (2 Kings 8:7–15). But they will do it just the same. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

ERWIN LUTZER
What hope is there when we blow it? What if we deny that which we know to be true and live contrary to what we believe? What happens when we don’t live up to our expectations and ideals? On the night Jesus Christ was betrayed, Peter boasted too much, prayed too little, acted too soon, followed too far, and thought too late. When Peter began to realize he had betrayed Jesus, he wept bitterly (Mark 14:72). The regret washed over his spirit. But after the resurrection, Jesus restored him (John 21:15). His blessed voice says to all of us, “I want to restore you fully to your relationship with me.”
Have you fallen? Have you betrayed the One you love? You can move from regret to restoration because Jesus has His arms outstretched saying, “Come home. You’ve been away far too long.”

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, restore me. I have good intentions, but the flesh overwhelms me. Grant me the grace of obedience.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What regrets do you have that you need to lay at the feet of Jesus?

Since the flesh is weak, what can you do to strengthen your relationship with Jesus?