GOD’S WORD FOR AUGUST 9

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

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RESTORATION

Luke 22:61-62

“The Lord turned and looked at Peter, and Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how He had said to Him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”  And he went out and wept bitterly.”

D.L. MOODY

The Master might have turned and said to Peter, “Is it true, Peter, that you have forgotten Me so soon?  Do you not remember when your wife’s  mother lay sick of a fever that I rebuked the disease and it left her?  Do you not call to mind your astonishment at the draught of fishes so that you exclaimed, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord?”  Do you remember when in answer to your cry, “Lord, save me, or I perish,”  I stretched out My hand and kept you from drowning in the water?  Have you forgotten when, on the Mount of Transfiguration, with James and John, you said to me, “Lord, it is good to be here:  let us make three tabernacles.”  Have you forgotten being with Me at the supper table, and in Gethsemane?  Is it true that you have forgotten Me so soon?”  The Lord might have upbraided him with questions such as these, but He did nothing of the kind.  He cast one look on Peter, and there was so much love in it that it broke that bold disciple’s heart, and he went out and wept bitterly.

ERWIN LUTZER

After Jesus was raised. He appeared first to Peter, then the other apostles.  Why Peter?  Jesus was saying in effect, “You sinned, but you are forgiven;  you denied Me, but I have not left you.”

Later, Jesus will give Peter three opportunities to confess his love to his Savior and Lord.  The same lips that denied Christ are now the same lips by which Peter confessed his love.  The failure is past, the restoration is complete, and it is time to serve the sheep.

Let us be encouraged by Jesus; restoring work.  When we sin, if we are willing to confess, He is willing to forgive.  Christ’s forgiveness increases our love for Him and proves His love for us.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for restoring me to You.

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Ps 94:19

In the multitude of my anxieties within me,

Your comforts delight my soul.

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Galatians 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

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Matthew 11:28

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

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Micah 7:18-19

Who is a God like You,

Pardoning iniquity

And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?

He does not retain His anger forever,

Because He delights in mercy.

He will again have compassion on us,

And will subdue our iniquities.

You will cast all our sins

Into the depths of the sea.

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1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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Isaiah 43:18-19

“Do not remember the former things,

Nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I will do a new thing,

Now it shall spring forth;

Shall you not know it?

I will even make a road in the wilderness

And rivers in the desert.

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Isaiah 43:25 –( emphasis—for His sake—not because of our sorrow or anything else)

“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;

And I will not remember your sins.”

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