STRENGTH IN THE HEART (9)

“But I have prayed for you, that your FAITH should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, STRENGTHEN your brethren” – Luke 22:32

God supplies us with STRENGTH in the HEART to keep our Faith from failing, so that we may strengthen others: “And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your FAITH should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, STRENGTHEN your brethren” (Lk.22:31-32). These were the words of our Lord Jesus Christ to Peter. The Lord was obviously not referring here to any form of physical strength. Rather, implied in His reference to the possibility of a failing faith, was the need for strength in the spirit – Strength in the Heart – for Peter and his brethren!

Peter’s faith was about to be tested. In some of Jesus' worst moments, Peter denied he had any connection with Him even though a short time before, he had been adamant that he would never turn away from the Lord: “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death” (v.33b).  Jesus replied: “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me” (v.34). When the test eventually came, we’re told that this self-confident disciple, “followed at a distance” (Lk.22:54b). He ended up denying the Lord thrice: “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly” (Lk.22:61-62).

Our Lord had been commending the steadfastness with which His disciples had continued with Him in His trials, and had bestowed on them a kingdom (vv.28-29). And then, the forecast of Peter’s cowardly desertion! It’s interesting that the Lord called Peter by reiterating his old name ‘Simon’ which suggests being weak and unsanctified (v.31). The Lord’s assertions reveal His as the Intercessor for tempted souls who turns colossal falls or failures into great recoveries! Though Peter’s colossal failure was recorded for all people of all time to read, so was his restoration! Like Peter, we all have failed the Lord, even if our failures are not as widely broadcast. When we fail Him to any degree, we feel guilty, embarrassed, depressed, and often wonder if God will ever use us again in His service. But, there’s always another chance with the God of Mercy and Grace!

There are at least three vital lessons to learn from this episode. First, our failures don't have to be the defining characteristic of our walk with Jesus. Peter was weak and stumbled, but because of his sincere repentance, the Lord's help, and the power of the Holy Spirit, failure was not final in his life. He was eventually used mightily by the Lord. We must never relegate anyone, not even ourselves, to the junk heap for letting the Lord down at one time or another. We must be careful to not give up on ourselves or any of God’s children because of seeming failures in faith. God is gracious and compassionate and will forgive our sins when we genuinely repent. The second lesson is that the Lord can use our failures to equip us to serve others in His family better. We learn to be gracious and more committed to strengthening the brethren, knowing that we can serve through the brokenness of our stumblings.

The third lesson relates to the place of Prayer in the Supply of Strength in the Heart. Jesus assured Peter: “I have prayed for you”! The individualising pronoun suggested to Peter, who was confident of his claim to loyalty; that he of the whole company of the Twelve, was in the greatest danger. The prayer was undoubtedly answered. Peter’s “faith” did “fail” when he denied his Lord; but repentance came after it, and a new power was gained through that weakness to make others strong. Christ offers Hope for those who have failed in faith, and fresh injection of Strength in the Heart for the weary and weak!