Week 7
Jesus spoke openly to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and be killed, and after three days rise again. Peter began to rebuke him. But he, turning around, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You have in mind not the things of God, but the things of men.” —Mark 8:31–33
God’s will sometimes includes pain. We often understand surrender in terms of obedience, but it’s also about acceptance. We must surrender to God’s timing, plans, and providence, even when his plans are unpleasant or difficult to accept. Peter couldn’t bear the thought of Jesus suffering, but in trying to protect Jesus, he resisted God’s redemptive plan. Like Peter, we sometimes fight the very thing God is using to transform us.
Reflection Questions
What difficult circumstances has God allowed in your life that you must surrender to?
What is your understanding of why God has allowed these circumstances?
What do you think he might want you to do because of it, or what personal revelation is he making to you through it?
Lord, what are you teaching me in today’s reading?
Lord, what else have you said to me through thoughts, circumstances, conversations, emotions, or the work of the enemy?
Lord, what do you want me to do: At home? At work? In ministry?