Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. — John 18:10
I don’t remember the exact details of the statement that was made to me, but I do remember how upset I got. I was a teenager and it had to do with one of my friends at the time. Something was said and I heard it and became upset. Instead of processing the information, I flew into action.
It can be so easy to do that in life. We are often facing situations and circumstances that cause us to want to react. At times, we react much quicker than we should. We see something or hear something, and our first reaction is to act. That is exactly what seems to have happened with Peter here.
When Judas came with the men to the garden to betray Jesus, Peter saw something play out in front of him that caused him to overreact. He quickly pulled out his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus. Peter’s temper got the best of him. At that moment, Peter forgot that he was standing beside Jesus, the Lord of all!
It was a quick overreaction, which is what often happens to us. We often overreact, which can cause more damage and difficulty. It is our human nature that pushes us to react. So how do we overcome these times of overreaction?
It involves trust. We must realize that we have God on our side and that He controls it all. Nothing comes into our lives by chance. When these situations come up, we can confidently take a step back and talk to God about them. He has the power and ability to change the circumstance or help us see what He is doing in our lives. We must simply trust Him.
Jared Dyson
Another Well Ministries
God. Can also give a nation a bare ass spanking for disobedience. Can that be what is happening? I think so. Idolatry and perversion everywhere. God causes it to rain on the just and the unjust alike. Even if that rain is his anger. Here is the patience of the saints.
“America is coasting downhill on a godly ancestry, and God have mercy on us when we reach the bottom of the hill.”
Dr. J. Gresham Machen...
Yep
One of the best things about getting old(er) is the increased calmness of the soul and spirit. Probably everything is wearing out and the synapses just don't fire very quickly, but I like to think it is increased wisdom and experience...knowing that trusting God is essentially all there is of any importance...birthdays certainly increase perspective...
...."too soon old...
...too late wise"...
Joe Keim
Last week I dreamt of frogs...a large groundswell after a man fell to Earth caused frogs to rain down, and the people around me were cheering...it happened two more times within the dream, knocking me to the ground each time, the cheers growing louder...God is in control, and is trying to speak to us all...
...I have those kinds of dreams after dining at Taco Bell...
...seriously, that is reminiscent of what befell the Egyptians in Moses day....
It genuinely scared me a bit...it was intense...Taco Bell makes me dream of seeing John Phillip Souza conduct one of his marches...
...thank you for allowing me a flippant moment...
...dreams of that vividness bear consideration....
It was the cheers of the crowd, so happy to see the frogs, that threw me...there was more to the dream, but is very hard to describe; how does one describe the impossible? I'm just a simple man...
...simple men sing simple songs...
...maybe the frogs were your dream state manifestations of "Pepes" arriving to save the day....
...and your sub conscience juxtaposed the "Plague scenario" into the situation...
...now Freud would say it had something to do with your mother...
...doggy winks....
...I am more of a Skinner dog myself...
My philosophers wrote for Mad Magazine in the 70's/80's hahahaaa...the World needs "Snappy Answers To Stupid Questions" more than ever...
SOMETIMES the best action is no action. Only through the acquisition of WISDOM can these moments be recognized.
Think about how often “wisdom” is spoken of or referred to in our modern culture…never
Here’s an uplifting song that talks about Peter and his sword
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-9WARhR_Yo
...compelling addendum...
...God bless you for the song....
True
Deuteronomy 6:31: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Jeremiah 29:11-14 protects me during tumultuous self-worth trials.
Correction: quote is from Deut 31:6.
Isn't it presumption on our part to claim that "we have God on our side" (from Jared Dyson above) when 3 verses up, in Deut 31:3, as He is explaining to Moses His plan for the people's entry into Canaan, He states that “The LORD your God is the one who will cross ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will drive them out."
He is to be the initiator in all things and we the followers. This will preclude overreaction on our part. We are courting misfortune when we reverse the order. Knowing that a personal action we are about to take is His plan gives us the faith to proceed, trusting He has gone before, and that indeed He "doth go with thee," vs. 6.
Amen
Don't you realize "He controls it all" in no way means it is predetermined? Your actions are inconsequential. Yours and everyone's actions.
Is the history of the world proof that "The side of God" wins every time?
If you think that, you need to study just a little more history.
Obviously my opinion A 70-year-old vet.