“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

     Jesus asked his disciples to keep watch for him while he was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, just prior to his arrest.  You would think that this was not too demanding of them, to simply keep watch, but no, he returned to find them sleeping.  Their eyes were heavy and they were tempted to sleep, and they yielded to that temptation.

     This event signifies the human tendency to not stay on our guard, and then suddenly, temptation (of various sorts) comes into play and we are caught off-guard.  Then we may end up regretting something that we have said or done.  But if we choose to remain close to God, he will reveal to us through his word and his Spirit, some ways to avert temptation, or at least not yield to it.  This is one of the many advantages of “keeping watch” and staying close to our Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I regret the times when I do not give you first priority and I end up regretting it.  I pray that I can willingly stay close to you, because you give me the greatest sense of peace and contentment.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.