"Denial"

John 18:18

"Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself."

Peter took a giant step down from his earlier bravery, he had just fulfilled Jesus' prophecy by denying Him to the servant girl because he feared persecution from the officers.

Bad enough, yet this verse shows Peter, in his fear even tried to appear like one of them!

Do we compromise ourselves and our faith to stay in good standing with a boss or colleagues?

or hide our religious beliefs, to avoid ridicule and blend in to the crowd?

or disassociate ourselves in public from friends who believe? Maybe they're just too loud!

Peter progressed from a simple "I do not know him" to cursing and swearing in his final denial!

Lord, give me the courage to stand firm in Your truth, and the grace to not deny You when faced with the pressure of the crowd. May I find strength in Your Spirit and boldness in my heart to follow You, even when it's difficult. Help me to prioritize Your will over fitting in, so that my life may always bring glory to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.