Are you struggling with issues in your life? Do you feel that the Lord wants to use you in some way however you have struggles? Or are you just a Christian, you may not particularly feel any specific call however you just want to please the Lord at all times. The good news is the Lord has great plans for us all. He has designed us all for a purpose. Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Now just imagine Peter. The Lord told Peter that he would deny him three times. Peter was so adamant that it would not happen. So many factors would have contributed to that response.
Mark 14: 27 – 33
27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
Now lets look at the above account. The Lord knows better than we do. If you knew beyond a shadow of doubt that somebody was going to deny you three times, what would you do? If you were going to pray, especially a significant prayer, would you take such a person along with you? But watch the mercy and goodness of our Lord. Jesus still took Peter.
32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to very heavy.
The Lord told his other disciples to sit down, while He took Peter, James and John with Him. Just note that, the final most important prayer He prayed during His earthly ministry, Jesus knowing very well that Peter would deny him, still took him along. What an amazing Lord! The Lord sees our hearts beyond our weaknesses.
The Lord knows our weaknesses but still delights to use us. The Lord knows that we are all ‘work in progress’ so stop being too hard on yourself. The Lord kept Peter as one of the three, despite all. And see what happened? Peter ended writing part of the bible and was also used mightily as we can see in the book of Acts (Acts 15:5). This is also a lesson for leaders that have flock and people that they mentor.
The bible says in the book of Psalms 147: 5: Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
The Lord understands our weaknesses and short comings. Is this a licence not to work on ourselves? No. The point about this article is that we are all work in progress. The Lord has called you, has plans for you, and still desires to use you. When we fail, its then we must run to the throne of grace for mercy.
The Lord is not surprised when we fail for He is not caught unawares. He truly delights in us. Even as the Lord still took Peter, the Lord is still calling you. Stop being hard on yourself, respond to His love, keep close to the Lord. As the days go by as you grow up in Him, more of Christ will be formed in you. What you fell for today, will be history and no longer a temptation tomorrow. Let the Lord have His way.
Bisi Oladipupo
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