Rev. Don Campbell
Luke 22, John 13
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2019
“WHEN FAITH IS FALTERING”
Concerning the devil, Peter wrote, “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:9-11.
Peter was inspired by the Holy Spirit when he wrote, but that does not mean that he did not write from his own experience. On the night of betrayal, Jesus had a conversation with Peter: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me” (Luke 22:31-34, ESV).
Just as Jesus had predicted, Peter denied his Lord. Just as is Jesus had prayed, Peter was restored, confirmed, strengthen, and established. Peter’s faith had faltered, but it had not failed, for Jesus had prayed that it would not. Jesus is in our corner just as he was in Peter’s:
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31-39).
When faith falters, flee to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. They are all in our corner.
CONNECTIONS
1. Would agree that those who have never felt the temptation to flee from God have no understanding of the holiness of God, nor their own sinfulness?
2. When a parent is keeping a close watch on a toddler who is learning to walk, they are doing it to urge the child on with words of encouragement such as “GOOD girl!” “Great job!” When the child falters, the parents to not punish or upbraid, but encourage the child to try again. Is our Father any different?
