# 391 Verily, Verily, Don’t Rely On Your Flesh

The Book of Genesis

Day 391

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 13:38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

Here’s a “verily, verily,” that doesn’t appear to pass along any great spiritual truth. This truth is directed at Peter of course, and among other things it reminds us that when Jesus says,  “verily, verily” it is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth! Think of the impact this “verily, verily” would have on the disciples as it concerns all other verily, verilies, when it came to pass exactly as Jesus said it would, a few hours later!

Peter had just stated that he would lay down his life for Jesus, and Jesus replied, “Oh really? Before tomorrow morning dawns, you will have denied me three times. Given Jesus’ track record on accuracy, this must’ve been very disturbing to Peter. Perhaps that’s why Jesus immediately follows that statement with , “Let not your heart be troubled;” As if to say, “even in your denial Peter, keep believing in God, keep believing in me.!”

Troubled hearts have a way of stirring up unbelief, and when hearts are troubled, we have a need to “untroubled” them, and we often turn to our flesh to resolve the issue. Peter’s bold statement was made in the flesh, and in his flesh he would try to keep it, and he failed miserably.  That’s the way it is with all of our fleshly efforts, they never bring lasting peace. Troubled hearts remain troubled.

So let’s learn from this incident with Peter. Will you seek to be like him and serve in the power of your flesh? Will you thereby deny the power of God?

Let’s stop saying things like, “I will defeat this sin!” Or, “I will do this!” Or “I will do that.” Rather let us say, “if the Lord wills!”  Here’s the truth! It is “not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of hosts.” (Zech 4:6) because “verily, verily,” our flesh will fail us!

Pray: Lord, expose this weakness in our hearts. If we must be crushed as Peter was when he heard the rooster crow, so be it, but let us stop saying, “I will do,” and start allowing You to do!