The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Matthew 26:74-75,
"Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: 'Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.' And he went outside and wept bitterly."
In this well-known account, Peter claimed he would never disown Jesus. Yet, Jesus foretold Peter he would. In fact, it would be that very night "before the rooster crows".
Just as Jesus said it would happen, Peter disowned him three times! I have to imagine the events of that night must have been charged with a great fear.
What captures my thoughts this morning is that Peter "went outside and wept bitterly." He had disappointed his Lord.
I suspect we all have those occasions where we have disappointed the Lord. When we do so, we disappoint ourselves and possibly others around us as well. However, that feeling of having disappointed the Lord can just be heart-rending, depending on the circumstances involved and the degree to which we brought it about whatever that disappointment might have been, some sin or whatever.
That bitter feeling of having disappointed the Lord can be discouraging and even defeating in our walk with the Lord. I'm sure that the feeling of disappointment is important and necessary as the Holy Spirit within us brings us conviction of whatever it was we had done, but I am likewise sure we are not to linger in our disappointment.
A couple of thoughts come to mind in regard to the sorrow we may feel having disappointed the Lord:
When it comes to sin, as believers, we don't have to find ourselves trapped in it, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13.
In that we still struggle with our sinful nature, it is good to hear John's words, "If we confess our sins, he [Jesus] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. He goes on to say, "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:1-2.
We can take encouragement and comfort in knowing the Lord still loves us when we disappoint him. The writer of Hebrews reminds us, "For we do not have a high priest [Jesus Christ] who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16.
"Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: 'Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.' And he went outside and wept bitterly."
In this well-known account, Peter claimed he would never disown Jesus. Yet, Jesus foretold Peter he would. In fact, it would be that very night "before the rooster crows".
Just as Jesus said it would happen, Peter disowned him three times! I have to imagine the events of that night must have been charged with a great fear.
What captures my thoughts this morning is that Peter "went outside and wept bitterly." He had disappointed his Lord.
I suspect we all have those occasions where we have disappointed the Lord. When we do so, we disappoint ourselves and possibly others around us as well. However, that feeling of having disappointed the Lord can just be heart-rending, depending on the circumstances involved and the degree to which we brought it about whatever that disappointment might have been, some sin or whatever.
That bitter feeling of having disappointed the Lord can be discouraging and even defeating in our walk with the Lord. I'm sure that the feeling of disappointment is important and necessary as the Holy Spirit within us brings us conviction of whatever it was we had done, but I am likewise sure we are not to linger in our disappointment.
A couple of thoughts come to mind in regard to the sorrow we may feel having disappointed the Lord:
When it comes to sin, as believers, we don't have to find ourselves trapped in it, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13.
In that we still struggle with our sinful nature, it is good to hear John's words, "If we confess our sins, he [Jesus] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. He goes on to say, "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:1-2.
We can take encouragement and comfort in knowing the Lord still loves us when we disappoint him. The writer of Hebrews reminds us, "For we do not have a high priest [Jesus Christ] who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16.
When we find ourselves in the position of having disappointed the Lord in one way or another, we find the Holy Spirit within us faithful to bring our full awareness to it. When we feel that conviction, we need to get back up, dust ourselves off, recognize our Lord's forgiveness and love for us, ask the Lord's forgiveness for it, get back in the saddle and press ahead.
Don't wallow in defeat and discouragement! The Lord has plenty for us all to do and he does not need casualties laying on the ground of the spiritual context within which we need to be available to him! We need to follow Peter's example.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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