GOD’S WORD FOR OCTOBER 20

We are using Charles Spurgeon book, “The Risen King.”  It’s a collection of well chosen excerpts from Spurgeon’s  “Easter” sermons in devotional form, put together by Jeff Medders.   Pastor Spurgeon lived from 1834 to 1892  in London, England, and had a unique gift of understanding and showing the depth of our faith.  Thus, his reverential title as the Prince of Preachers.   Even though we’re not in or near that season, every day is a good day to focus on Christ’s sacrifice and victory for us!

PETER’S DENIALS

Luke 22: 59-62

“Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.”

 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!”

Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 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.” 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.”

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What was the reason for Peter’s denial First, it was his fear of man.  Bold Peter became an utter coward.  Oh, how many have denied their Master because they have been afraid of a jest or dirty look!  It was just a silly maid and another gossip with her and a few idle serving men and women around the outdoor fire, but Peter was afraid of them, and therefore he was not afraid to deny his Master.  Perhaps the chief reason for Peter’s denial of his Lord was his confidence in himself.  If Peter had felt himself to be weaker, he would really have been stronger – but because he felt so strong in himself, he proved to be as weak a water and so denied his Master.  What a mercy it was that Christ did not treat Peter as Peter treated Him!  Peter said, “I do not know Him.” AH!!! But if the blessed, meek and lowly One had said, “I DO NOT KNOW HIM” It would have been all over for Peter!

Consider the grace of Christ in looking at Peter, even in the midst of Peter’s sin.  Can you picture Him up there in the hall, up the steps, before the high priest and the council?  Peter is down below in the house, warming his hands at the fire.  Can you see the Lord Jesus turning round and fixing His eyes intently upon his stumbling disciple?  What do you see in that look?  First, I see in that look that which makes me exclaim:   “what thoughtful love!”  Jesus is bound He is accused, He has just been struck in the face, mocked, and reviled, but His thoughts are of wandering Peter.  Blessed be His dear name, Jesus always has an eye for His people whether He be in His shame or in His glory.  Though now He reigns in glory, He still looks steadily upon His own;  His delight is in them, and His care is over them.  There was not a particle of selfishness about our Savior.  I see, then, in our Lord’s looking upon Peter, a wondrously thoughtful love.

Christ’s look was also one of inexpressible tenderness, as if the Master said by it, “I love you still, Peter.  Come back to Me, and I will yet restore you.”  I think it was a heart-piercing look and a heart-healing look all in one.  It was a look which revealed to Peter the darkness of his sin and also the tenderness of his Master’s heart towards him.  Possibly no words could have expressed all that was thrown into that look of compassion.  I think a book as big as the Bible was contained within that look of Jesus.

I invite all the tongues and all the pens in the world to tell us all that our divine Lord meant by that look.  Our Savior employed the most prudent, the most comprehensive, the most useful method of speaking to the heart of His erring follower – He looked a library of love into him.  His glance was a divine hieroglyph full of unutterable meanings, which it conveyed in a clearer and more vivid way than words could have done.

Remember today that, yes, Jesus still looks upon sinners.  As the Lord looked upon Peter, so He looks upon you.  He has not turned His back on you;  He has not averted the gaze of His pity.  He sees to the bottom of your heart and reads all your thoughts.  You have no need to go far to find God – He is looking upon you.  “He is actually not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27).  He is within eyesight.  You are to look to Him, and if you do, your eyes will meet His eyes, for already He looks at you.

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1 Corinthians 1:27

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

1 Peter 5:7

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Psalm 62:8

Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.

Psalm 62:7

In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:23

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.

Psalm 112:1

Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments.

Proverbs 3:12

For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

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