Christian Healing Ministry - Devotionals

Devotional for September 12, 2026

DO NOT DODGE CHALLENGES

SCRIPTURE READING - 📖 Matthew 16:22-23

Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, LORD; this shall not happen to You!” But He said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Additional Verses

📖 Genesis 39:1-23; Matthew 16:13-28; Acts 12:1-19

Many people, when faced with challenges which are meant to prepare them for a new level in their Christian walk tend to dodge such challenges. Jesus Christ, our standard never dodged any challenge which came His way at all. Jesus Christ knew that in order for the world to be saved from the power of sin and be reconciled to God, He had to go through all that was prophesied in the Law of Moses and the prophets. When He revealed to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and the chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day, this did not at all go well with them. Simon Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, LORD; this shall not happen to You!” (Matthew 16:22). If it were you, you were certainly going to agree with Peter. However, this was not so for the LORD Jesus Christ who knew His purpose for coming to earth. Jesus Christ immediately rebuked Peter saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:23). Even when His time for persecution and crucifixion drew close according to Luke 22:42, Jesus Christ prayed saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Matthew 22:43-44). Just imagine if Jesus Christ had yielded to Peter’s suggestion not to go through all the persecution and suffering, would He have been given the name above every name through which we are all saved? Today I am saying to you, there are certain challenges which are put before you by God in order to preserve you or in order to prepare you for a new level in life. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” That challenge which you are trying to avoid is actually meant for your promotion and testimony. Remember how Joseph was promoted to become prime minister of Egypt; he had to go through rejection by his own brothers, was thrown into an empty dry pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused and imprisoned. He went through all those challenges until the day he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and that changed his destiny. Whatever situation you are going through, don’t give up on God. Keep trusting God for His processes even if the response is stretching your faith. John 16:33 says, “These things l have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; l have overcome the world.” So today I am saying to you, never dodge any challenge before you as it is meant for your promotion or to strengthen your faith. Alleluia!

Prayer

Thank You LORD Jesus Christ for teaching me never to dodge any challenges which You put before me, preparing me for a new level in life. May You increase in me the grace to always make Your Word my standard so that I may follow Your example when You went through temptations, tests and trials including death of the Cross. I thank You Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.