GOD’S WORD FOR OCTOBER 30

Our  book excerpt today, and ongoing,  is from “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand”  Lessons from the Life of Peter, by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

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To know Simon’s name was to know his present character and life.  To rename him was proof that he would become a different kind of person.  Only Christ, who had both the knowledge and power to shape this man according to God’s intentions, could make such a prediction.

Such knowledge and power can be both frightening and comforting.  If Jesus knows us completely and yet loves us enough to reshape our lives, we can take heart.  Although His chisel will hurt, in the end it will be for our good.  To be molded by the Master’s hand is an honor indeed.

Peter learned, as we all must, that standing in Christ’s presence brings both despair and hope.  Those who reject Him will wish they had not been born; those who submit will become a masterpiece that will endure forever as a credit to the Divine Sculptor.

“You are Simon!”

Occasionally God selects His leaders from among those of noble birth, the intelligent, or the gifted.  But usually He uses the common clay pot or stones of ordinary grain.  The un-adorned and simple home of this fisherman would be the quarry from which this stone would be dug.  If we had done a study of Peter’s humble origins, we would never have guessed that he would eventually become the stuff of saints.

Christ knew Simon’s true character, his strengths and weaknesses, his aspirations, insecurities, and disappointments.  Christ knew his vocation, and secret thoughts.  He knew how Simon would respond to all the twists and turns that lay in his path.  Christ’s knowledge was so exhaustive that He could have written a whole library of books on one whose name was Simon, son of John!

Counselors tell us that their clients are often not entirely honest.  All of us want to put ourselves in the best possible light.  Who of us would reveal our hidden thoughts to others?  Yet, without our saying a word, without a chance to put the best possible spin on our shortcomings, and temptations,

CHRIST KNOWS!

Our lives and thoughts are an open book to Jesus:  “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13)  He knows our names and a lot more besides.

He also knew Peter’s lineage:  “You are Simon the son of John.”  Some people think they were born into the wrong family.  Others do not know their parents, because of either death or adoption.  With the families of our nation being so torn apart, those who struggle with the uncertainty of their family roots often despair of becoming emotionally whole.

YET, CHRIST KNOWS!!

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Hebrews 4:13

 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Psalm 34:18

 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18

Isaiah 40:11

  He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those who have young. – Isaiah 40:11

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.– 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Psalm 139:1-2

 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

Matthew 6:7-8

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.   Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

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