Lord, am I Ready?

Luke 22:31-34

​How many times have we been over-confident in our ability? In Luke 22, Jesus warned Peter, a zealous follower of Jesus, that Satan sought to destroy him.
How many times have we tried to impress with our allegiance?  Peter tried to assure Jesus nothing would stop him from following Him.
How many times have we promised to stay dedicated to the cause no matter the cost, yet in our own strength, we failed? Peter exclaimed,"Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death." Yet, Jesus knew the truth about Peter. He told Peter that when that day would come, even before the rooster crowed, Peter would deny knowing Jesus three times.  
Peter, in his own strength, was not strong enough. Jesus told him, "I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."
There was hope for Peter. There is hope for us. One day Peder's faith would become so strong that he would indeed die for the sake of Jesus Christ. 

It is not enough to have a strong will to keep us on the right path. We might feel ready and brave enough, but if we are relying on ourselves those feelings will only take us so far. We are weak and sinful. We must hand it over and rely on Jesus, who the Bible says is the author and finisher of our faith. He will get us through every difficulty.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because  you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.… (James 1:2-4)

...He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why for the sake of Christ,  I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)