Stumbling spiritually is an experience we wish would not happen, but it does. As we journey through life, we are not always on a mountaintop doing everything right. Sometimes we find ourselves in a valley of our own making, wondering why we have been so foolish. I have stumbled several times, but thankful the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin, I repented and moved forward again. The Lord will also do the same for you.
The Lord gives us several examples of remarkable people of faith, yet they sometimes fail, but God restored each of them. Genesis 9:1 tells us that Noah got drunk. Abraham lied about his wife in Genesis 12, saying she was his sister because he was afraid when they entered Egypt. King David had a man murdered to cover up his affair with another woman. The Apostle Paul started as a persecutor of the church until Jesus intervened. Remember, there were failures in all these situations, but God gave undeserved love.
Peter Regretted Denying Jesus
Jesus had warned Peter that he would deny Him, but Peter was confident he would not fail. Luke 22:54 So they arrested Jesus and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. 55 The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there.[1]
Mark 14:66 One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by 67 and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.” 68 But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed. [2]
Luke 22:61 At that moment, the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. [3]
When We Fail, There is Forgiveness
There is no failure too small or too great that the Lord will not forgive when we confess and repent of our sins. It would be nice if we did not sin, but that is not the reality. Throughout our lives, we can be thankful we can come to the Lord’s throne of grace to ask for forgiveness and be healed.
Jesus forgave Peter as recorded in John 21:15-19. Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” [4] Forgiveness for our failures is only a prayer away, so look to the Lord and let him forgive you.
To learn more about stumbling spiritually, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/follow-denial
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.