Have you ever made a mistake, asked for forgiveness but thoughts are still flooding your mind. How could you have done that after all you know.
The enemy is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12: 10) and always looks for opportunities to make us feel bad. The account of Peter denying the Lord in the bible was not recorded by mistake.
Luke 22: 31 - 34 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Luke 22:55-61 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord
If you look at Luke 22 verse 31 it says, ?Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat?: I believe that the plan of the enemy was to attack Peter after he had denied the Lord with thoughts and suggestions.
Can you imagine the thoughts Peter had to cast down. You healed the sick (Matthew 10: 1), the Lord healed your mother in law when she was sick (Matthew 8: 14), you even walked on water for a while (Matthew 14: 28- 29), and he warned you that it would happen, and you still denied the Lord.
The Lord is full of compassion and merciful and prayed for Peter before it even happened. Thank God that Peter went on to be a great apostle of the Lord. The book of Acts clearly states how the Lord used Peter. He preached boldly, healed the sick, raised the dead and did exploits for the Lord (Acts 1 to Acts 15).
He is one of the most named apostles in the book of Acts. He also wrote part of the new testament. Peter received forgiveness from the Lord and moved on.
When we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 ). This means exactly what it says.
Don?t listen to the lies of the enemy, why listen to someone who hates you. It?s the Lord that loves you and died for you.
Have you asked the Lord to forgive you? He has. Now forget about your feelings, forgive yourself and move on to do exploits for the Lord. God has not finished with you yet. He still has great plans for you.
Bisi Oladipupo
26 June 2009