May we consider our own spir itual state and the Word of the Lord. May we obey that which we know to be God's will for us. Only in this way can we know the joy of the Lord. Because of rebellion and dis obedience, Peter's fellowship with the Lord had been broken. In love, just as He seeks to do with us, the Lord brought him back to the place of blessing. The first steps in his restoration were a praying Saviour and the precious Word. This is why we should fill our hearts with Scrip ture. The Saviour looked upon Peter (Luke 22) and saw that his heart was broken. Christ did not say, "Well, I told you so." There was love and compassion shown. We cannot begin to fathom the agony of the Saviour's love for Peter. That look was penetrating and powerful. Following the death of Christ, when the disciples entered the tomb, the angel explained, "He is not here; He is risen; behold the place where they laid Him. Go your way, tell His disciples and Peter." You can be sure that Jesus cared about Peter even though he had denied his Lord. How Peter had wanted to kneel beside his Lord, confessing his sin and being restored to fellowship. With Christ gone he could not —- he was now a lonely man. Yet, here in the mo ment of resurrection news, broken hearted Peter was remembered. If you are away from God today remember that He loves you, too. It matters not how high the tidal waves of your sin may rise and roll over your soul. It will never hold back the infinite love of a gracious Saviour. He has promised,
always prepares for our homecom ing before we need it. Jesus Christ was the Lamb slain before the foundations of the world. God de vised and planned our salvation before we were born. The first step in the restoration of Peter was the intercessory work of the Saviour. The second step in his restora tion is recorded in Luke 22:61, "And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord." If you look at the last verse of John 13 and the first verse of the 14th chapter, you will see something quite revealing. Peter was told that he could not follow the Lord right at that time but later he would be allowed to follow. The disciple was ready to lay down his life for Jesus. The Lord had to remind him that he would rather deny Him three times. Then Christ gave him a promise which was specifically for him, as well as for you and for me, "I go to prepare a place for you, Peter, and if I go and prepare a place for you, Peter, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also, Peter." After Peter's denial the cock crowed and, "the Lord turned, and looked upon Simon Peter. And Pe ter "remembered the word of the Lord" (Luke 22:61). He recalled not only the fact that he would turn his back on his Master but also that Christ had given him the promise of being with Him etern ally. With a bowed head and broken heart, Peter turned his thoughts toward the days when he had walked in fellowship with the Saviour. The Spirit of God brought all these things to his mind.
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