Key Passage
At that time, Peter was still in the yard. A servant girl of the high priest came to Peter. The girl saw Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked closely at Peter. Then the girl said, "You were with Jesus, that man from Nazareth."
— Mark 14:66-67 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Peter needs to warm his soul, but the fire can warm only his body. The chill that Peter faces is the kind of chill that descends upon those who are profoundly disappointed, confused, and disillusioned with their faith. He could not stay awake in the Garden while Jesus prayed. Even though he drew a sword and tried to start a fight with the enemy, when Jesus told him to put the sword away, he didn't know what else to do. When the Lord was led away by an angry mob that had been directed to the place of prayer by Judas, one of Peter's friends, Peter's heart was broken and conflicted. So now, as he warms himself in the night chill, he is about to face a deeper chill—the chill of failure, brokenness, and defeat. When we find ourselves battling with those same issues, we need to remember that Peter's story doesn't end with his weakness, abandonment, denials, and failure. His story ends only after God uses him mightily. God can use each of us that way, too, if we will only let him.
Prayer
Father, please forgive me and heal me. I need your grace, dear Father, but most of all I need you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
The two men said to each other, "When Jesus talked to us on the road, it felt like a fire burning in us. It was exciting when he explained to us the true meaning of the Scriptures. " So the two men got up then and went back to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem they found the followers of Jesus meeting together. The eleven apostles and those people that were with them said, "The Lord (Jesus) really has risen from death! He showed himself to Simon (Peter)."
— Luke 24:32-34
You know that every person in the country of Asia has left me. Even Phygelus and Hermogenes have left me. I pray that the Lord will show mercy to the family of Onesiphorus. Many times Onesiphorus encouraged me. He was not ashamed that I was in prison. No. He was not ashamed. When he came to Rome, he looked and looked for me until he found me. I pray that the Lord will allow Onesiphorus to have mercy from the Lord on that Day. You know how many ways Onesiphorus helped me in Ephesus.
— 2 Timothy 1:15-18
Remember those days when you first learned the truth. You had a hard struggle with many sufferings, but you continued strong. Sometimes people said hateful things to you and persecuted you before many people. And sometimes you helped other people who were being treated that same way. Yes, you helped those people in prison and shared in their suffering. And you were still happy when all the things you owned were taken away from you. You continued to be happy, because you knew that you had something much better—something that would continue forever.
— Hebrews 10:32-34
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2016. All rights reserved.
