EVEN FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS FAIL
- Key Verse
And immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:74b-75)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Our sin is no surprise to Jesus. He knows the exact moment and circumstances under which we will fail. He loves us anyway.
Reflections
FAILURE! You just got caught in your sin. Cringe! Ugh! What are you going to do now?
I love this passage. There is NO escaping the enormous failure that this was for Peter. And by the way, I would have failed here, too. We often make fun of Peter for his blunders, but the truth is, just a few hours before the "three denials and a rooster crow," he alone pulled out his sword and cut off a guy’s ear to defend Jesus! Now, that is no coward . . . in that moment, anyway. And isn’t that the point? We ALL have COLOSSAL moments of failure in life! Moments when our sin is exposed, and people see right into our hearts. Jesus predicted Peter’s failure, and He could predict ours, too. He isn’t surprised when or how we sin nor the circumstances surrounding it.
The longer I walk with the Lord, the more He reveals things that are going on in my heart. I am as aware as ever that I can be a follower of Jesus and maybe even faithful and still have huge failures (just like Peter). I don’t want to sin, but I do. I don’t want to betray Jesus with my choices, but I do. And this is what I love about the Lord, He knows everything, and He still loves me. He loves us even though He knows how and when we are going to betray Him. There is no hiding it, and yet there is no escaping the depth of His love. He came to earth, subjected Himself to sinful man, and died on a cross—BECAUSE we fail.
I am challenged by Peter's response to his sin. He wept bitterly. I want my sin to remind me of how much I need my Savior and how desperate and dependent upon Him I am for faithfulness every day. Someone once said to me, and I think of it often: "There I go, doing again the things I don’t want to do. Boy, do I need a Savior. Boy, do I need you, Lord."
Discussion Questions
1. How have you failed this week, month, or year in your relationships?
2. How have you responded to your failures?
3. What steps do you need to take? Will you sit for 10 minutes and remind yourself and rest in the Lord's love for you even in the midst of them?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What did Peter do?
2. Why do you think he denied knowing Jesus?
3. Do you ever deny knowing someone because other people might make fun of you? How does God want you to respond?
Jeremy
April 16, 2010 04:36 AM
Hey Cynthia - you have a great way of putting things and your honesty about your own struggles helps me to identify and be honest about my own. I was very encouraged. Liked the personal ad too. I think you have been very brave and you deserve a date. I'm married (sorry!) but will pray that the Lord will get you a date if it pleases Him. And if not - that He'll bless you in a very special way today anyway...
Danny in RR Tx
April 16, 2010 06:02 AM
Good Morning CC!! I like Your devo and it hit home..wow. I go to HCBC here in Austin and i am looking for a Lady to have coffee with .Darn..!! Anyway..Your Devo was Excelent i thought.
Lesley Johnson
April 16, 2010 06:41 AM
Hi friend...your words and verse hit home for me this week, right where I am struggling. No coincidence I read God's truth this morning as I wrestle with my sinful heart...thanks for your insight!
Lucina Thompson
April 16, 2010 07:10 AM
I love that we are singing the same song--from Wednesday's bible study teaching to your Journey today! I don't want to betray the Lord either, but just like you, I do. I am so thankful that he loves me anyway and because of that, we can be real with each other. Thanks for making it so clear to me.
Mandy
April 16, 2010 07:16 AM
A great encouragement to see your bright smile this am! Thankful with you for the love of Christ even when we fail and the great example of Peter in response to his sin. Super job on the questions...what is our response and do we go back to HIM and HIS LOVE for our foundation in moving forward.
Melissa McDonald
April 16, 2010 07:30 AM
Good Morning Cynthia - 'He died on the cross Because we fail' overwhelms me when I think about it. You have the gift of saying truth so simply (lovingly too), and your personal convictions result in convicting me. Looking forward to sitting 10 minutes today do the homework above. I love you and miss seeing you.
Kelley Maxwell
April 16, 2010 07:54 AM
Thanks Cynthia for your thoughtful words. As a good counselor does, you leave me with a plan to wrestle with the Lord on my own. Thanks for spurring me on to sit and reflect where the Lord wants to do some work! Grateful for your wisdom!
liannn
April 16, 2010 08:47 AM
Cynthia- I think of the old hymn that says "behold the Man upon a cross, my sin upon his shoulders. Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers (and deniers!). It was MY sin that held Him there until it was accomplished. His dying breath has brought me life. I know that it is finished." I need Him every moment.
brandy kilpatrick patterson
April 16, 2010 08:51 AM
Culver- GREAT DEVO. So many things to be said on this one....but all I know is that, I am Peter....and Judas and David ect... He loves me still. Help me love that way too.
April 16, 2010 08:55 AM
What a wonderful devotion!!! I have so struggled with believing that Jesus loves me...REALLY...and was always so condemned about everything; so hopeless. Since joining Watermark and hearing the amazing break down of the Word of God every week, God has been chipping away at my pride and unbelief. While reading this message by Cynthia, I started to cry and said, "OH! I think I'm really starting to believe in your Love, Lord!!" Such a real revelation!! It's my birthday today and I could of sworn I heard Jesus say, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!" Best gift ever!! Thanks Cynthia. And Jesus!!!
Jeff Berry
April 16, 2010 08:59 AM
Excellent, thanks!
Susan Coy
April 16, 2010 09:36 AM
CC, great insights this morning....I love it when you speak :) So yes, we are all Peters in the way we fall short of who we want to be for Christ, but do we always weep with such remorse when we do? Loved your last paragraph.
Danelle Parker
April 16, 2010 09:41 AM
Thank you for your reminder and your honesty. I sometimes believe the lie that I am alone, in my failure. Thank you for reminding me of His Love and Grace. Really need to hear God speak this morning, He did through this devo. Love it!
Brett
April 16, 2010 09:41 AM
Cynthia - - Great job. Humility and redemtpion are attractive. I wish I could remember that before I fail. Thanks for the reminder of our Savior's goodness. O great God of the universe, creator of all, be small enough to hear my cries.
Chandra
April 16, 2010 10:22 AM
CC, How excited was I to see your beautiful face and Journey entry this am! Your words, as always, challenged and encouraged my heart. Challenged because I, too, betray our Savior and encouraged because of His love exhibited on the cross. Peter had his triumphs and failures and his story is one I can learn much from. THANKFUL that He who began a good work in me is faithful to complete it! Phil. 1:6 Love you sweet friend!
Pam
April 16, 2010 10:43 AM
Hi Cynthia, WOW! My journey these past two weeks following Easter have been pivotal. I decided to rewatch the Passion of Christ last night and then you recount Peter this morning. Pointing out how Peter defended Christ before his denials was awesome. I hadn't made that connection. I can definitely relate. I will defend my God anytime but my sinful choices deny him every time. Thank you for the reminder of how much our Lord loves us no matter what.
Leonard
April 16, 2010 10:43 AM
Truth! I needed to hear today. God's timing is impeccable - thanks for being the oracle!
Diane Sims
April 16, 2010 11:14 AM
AMEN!! My personal relationship with Jesus is growing in this VERY area. My fear of failure is a direct result of my fear of not being loved. Thank you for pounding in the fact that Jesus loves me regardless of my falls.
Stacie Rodriguez
April 16, 2010 02:22 PM
Great stuff C! Sobering thoughts as always. God's love is truly amazing.
Eric Colton
April 16, 2010 04:46 PM
Thanks Cynthia! That's a good refreshing reminder of how much we neeeeeed Him! I'm encouraged...
Tracy
April 18, 2010 10:00 AM
Cynthia...thank you for always being so real. I am continually blown away by your heart for God and others. Thanking God for my precious friend today!