Recover All

Matthew 26:75   Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Betrayal is probably one of the hardest things that one can feel forgiven of.  It is a deep seated emotion connected with the deception of a performance far beyond our intention.  Peter is known for his rough, gruff demeanor but deep down he was a man that could love and did love the Lord.  All Peter ever knew was his trade of being a fisherman.  He was used to being hard and it took that to be the kind of fisherman that he was.  But, Jesus always has a way of producing such a “melting” effect on the toughest of men’s hearts.  Peter truly was committed to the work of the Lord.  He was faithful, but suddenly he finds himself in the middle of a moment of denial.  How could this be; being the man he was? 

Often we judge others by their reactions and that seems to be the very thing people remember you by.  But, if we take time to look at the facts, then maybe we would understand the reason for the reaction.  If you will remember before this very moment, Jesus told Peter that he would deny him three times.  And of course Peter responds, “I would never do that Lord!” 

It was a critical and stressful time for Jesus, his followers and especially those closest to him.  For now the time had come that He had been trying to prepare them for.  They were all fearful of their lives and seeing the pain and anguish that their Lord was about to face was overwhelming.  Peter running frantically wasn’t sure what to do and in the moment of confusion and weakness he finds himself denying the very Master that saved him.  The guilt of that action forced Peter into hiding where he could privately respond to what he had said.  The Word says that Peter “wept bitterly.” This is conveying to us that Peter was stricken with an overwhelming sense of guilt and condemnation.  He was so broken over betraying the one that he loved so very much.  But the greatest ending to this horrific moment was that Jesus still loved Peter no matter what he would do or could ever do.

This is shouting ground for us! Jesus will always love us no matter what we do or say as long as we know how to follow the path back to repentance.  Maybe you are struggling with a situation; maybe you are battling a sense of guilt and condemnation just like Peter was feeling.  Perhaps you were deceived into an act of betrayal? Jesus is the one that can help you recover all.  He is a faithful, loving Father that literally loves us despite ourselves.  Just like Peter you must have that attitude of knowing that you have failed and are sorry for that; just like Peter you must find your way to an alter of repentance; just like Peter the Lord Jesus Christ will forgive and restore your heart and spirit.

I encourage you today, move forward from your failure, repent and watch the hand of God begin to move across your life once again.  He loves you! You can recover all!

Dr. Shelia Isom

High Voltage Devotional

Experiencing Revival

For more from Dr. Sheila Isom and Experiencing Revival, please visit www.drsisom.org