Today’s Devotional Theme
Growing or Groaning?
Daily Scripture
Luke 22:61-62
“And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.”
Encouragement
A single mother we know just learned that her 18 year old daughter is moving in with her boyfriend. The mother is a committed, faithful follower of the Lord, so this news is a giant shock. Her distress comes not only from the daughter’s immoral decision (she was reared in a loving, Christian home), but also from the reality that the plans this mom has made for her daughter are probably gone in a puff of dust. Now mom is faced with either embracing a new reality or trying to fight it and not let go. In other words, either growing or “groaning.” Sound familiar? Most of us have either dealt with a similar series of events or have close knowledge of someone who has. It’s especially hard on the mother – single or married. Years ago, my wife practically died inside when our son walked out, and for months we got no news about him. (He’s happily married now and both he and his wife are pursuing promising careers.) We may groan for awhile, but through intercessory prayer we gain the strength to deal with it, even to embrace the possibility that the child we reared may never re-establish contact.
Take Action!
Today’s scripture is, for me, one of the most poignant in the Bible. In Luke 22:61, Jesus’s eyes and Peter’s meet and hold for a second. Is Jesus’s look an “I told you so” look or a look of deep disappointment that one of His favorite disciples and best friends let Him down just as He predicted? I believe some of both. And Peter’s “what have I done?” cry of anguish reflects not only his remorse but even more an overwhelming sense that by betraying his Lord he’d done something that pushed Jesus out of his life forever. However, in contrast to the mother whose child has gone against her wishes, Jesus knew Peter would come back. That mother must now let in the prayers of her family, friends, and church – And the realization that her Lord will give her the fortitude to surmount this setback and get on with her life. That’s what my wife and I did.
Come into His Presence
My gracious and loving Father, I know we all let you down sometimes. Remind us at those times that we can obtain Your forgiveness and renew our relationship with You. In Jesus’s name, amen.
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