Keep Watch with Me

I have been reading through the One Year Bible, and a few days ago I came to the passage in Matthew when Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus was deeply grieved that His hour had come. It wasn't that He was unwilling to die for the sins of the world, it was that He was overwhelmed with grief at what was about to take place.

Jesus was so burdened that He took His disciples, entered the Garden, and asked them to stay, keep watching, and praying until He came back. Jesus went before our Heavenly Father, poured out His heart, and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."

My eyes welled up with tears as I read this passage. It grieved my heart that our Savior was so broken. It grieved my heart knowing that it should have been me on that cross, not our sinless Savior. And it grieved my heart knowing that even though Christ paid the ultimate price for me, I still continue to sin. There are still times that I choose my way over His way.

This was not the first time I have read this passage. In fact, I have read it numerous times. I always hone in on Jesus' prayer. But this time it was different.

After I read the prayer of Jesus several times, my eyes came to a stop when I read the part about the disciples falling asleep. Jesus had asked them to watch, and to be prayerful, yet they couldn't even stay awake. And not only did Jesus ask them once, but three times!

It hit me. I am a lot like the disciples sometimes. There are times when I need to be watching, praying, and staying alert. There are times when I know God is asking more of me, but I seem to have an excuse. I really was convicted by this.

The passage goes on to say, "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

This was Jesus' response to the disciples after finding them asleep for the first time. But obviously it didn't have much of an impact because He came back two more times to find them sleeping.

I need to be watching and praying so that I do not enter into temptation. Because it will happen. Whenever I make an excuse for not spending time with the Lord, I have a bad spot in my day. And sometimes my entire day is ruined by things that I say or do. Things that I say and do when I am not walking in the Spirit. And I am not walking in the Spirit when I choose "something" else over spending time with ourLord.

I need time with the Lord. I need it even more now that I am a wife and mother. I can't afford to not spend time with the Lord!

And even though this year has been going well so far (in terms of spending time with the Lord each day), I don't want there to come a day when I am not "watching" and "praying" and I am vulnerable to fall into temptation.

I want to be sold out to the Lord. I want my life to count for eternity. Won't you join me?

A few other passages I read after reading the above:

1 Peter 5:8&9

"Be of sober spirit,be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world."

Galatians 5:16

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."

Romans 5 & 6

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."