UNFAILING MERCY

UNFAILING MERCY

READ:

Luke 22:54-62

Through the LORD’S mercies

we are not consumed, because

His compassions fail not….

great is Your faithfulness.

-Lamentations 3:22-23

As I strolled through Chicago’s O’Hare airport, something caught my eye-a hat worn by someone racing through the concourse.  What caught my attention was the message it conveyed in just two words:  “Deny Everything.”  I wondered what it meant.  Don’t ever admit to guilt?  Or deny yourself the pleasures and luxuries of life?  I scratched my head at the mystery of those two simple words, “Deny Everything.”

One of Jesus’ followers, Simon Peter, did some denying.  In a critical moment, he denied three times that He even knew Jesus! (Luke 22:57, 58, 60).  His fear-filled act of denial caused him such guilt and heartache that, broken by his spiritual failure, he could only go out and weep bitterly (v.62).

But Peter’s denial of Christ, like our own moments of spiritual denial, could never diminish the compassion of spiritual denial, could never diminish the compassion of God.  The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).  We can take heart that even when we fail, our faithful God comes to us in mercy and compassion that never fails! –Bill Crowder

Thank You, Father, for Your new and never-

failing mercies.  Forgive me for the times I deny

You and fail others, and teach me to run to

You for Your overflowing compassion.

Being imperfect emphasized our dependence

On God’s mercy.

INSIGHT

At Christ’s betrayal, Peter experienced a range of emotions.  Initially,

He felt protective of Christ (John 18:10).  Later, he feared arrest and execution (Luke 22:54-60).  Then, when the rooster crowed, he felt guilt at having denied his Lord (vv.60-62).  But the story does not end there.  After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter felt the relief of being restored (John 21:15-18); was empowered by the Holy Spirit to preach before thousands (Acts 2); boldly witnessed in the face of persecution (Acts 4:1-22); and ultimately was martyred for his Lord (2 Peter 1:13).  God’s power gave him consistency and courage.

Have a blessed day.

God Our Creator’s Love Always

Unity & Peace