Three Strikes And You’re NOT Out!

Many servants of the Lord have been devastated by a crushing failure in their personal lives or in public service. Perhaps they felt like Elijah. He had experienced a mountaintop victory, calling down fire from heaven to consume a sacrifice, and had defeated the prophets of Baal. Then Jezebel threatened to kill him. He fled to the wilderness and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord, take away my life.”  (1 Kings 19:4).  But God did not kill Elijah; He recommissioned him.

As a servant of the Lord, there can be highly discouraging times. Many a pastor, on Monday mornings, is tempted to resign because of his own disappointing behavior or a poor sermon the day before. Or, some circumstance arose that he felt inadequate to cope with.

Peter always felt compelled to speak first, often without thinking. He also had a big ego. Though everyone else might fail, he would never falter in his loyalty to Jesus. But it seemed that Jesus may have chosen him for negative attention. Jesus 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. (Luke 22:31-32). Peter, in his great self-confidence, answered Jesus,” Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.”  But Jesus responded with this unflattering, blunt prophecy. “I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.”  (Luke 22:34).

A few hours later, Peter did just as Jesus prophesied. Jesus witnessed his denial and looked at Peter. Peter burned within with guilt, remorse, and personal anguish because he had denied even knowing the Lord whom he loved. He went out and wept bitterly.

If ever there was a person who felt self-contempt for his own failure, it was Peter.

Peter then followed Jesus to Golgotha, where he watched Jesus being crucified and hung on the cross.   Every spike driven into Jesus’ hands and feet felt like a spike driven through his own soul. He went to bed that night but couldn’t sleep. Not that night, nor the next, nor the one after that.

Then came the morning when Mary Magdalene came to tell Peter and John that someone had taken away the body of Jesus. They ran to the tomb. John looked from the outside, but Peter went right in and saw the linen clothes in one place, but the head napkin lying separately. Could it be that Jesus rose from the dead?

That same day in the evening, Jesus appeared to them and showed them the wounds in his hands and feet. JESUS WAS ALIVE!

A few days later, Jesus met with Peter alone. (1 Corinthians 15:5). Peter was now assured that Jesus had forgiven him for his denial.

Some time later, Jesus helped the disciples make a massive catch of fish. (John 21). But without using the fish from their catch, Jesus had already prepared a fish fry for them on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias. After the meal, Jesus asked Peter three times, “Simon, do you love me?” Each time Peter responded, “Lord, thou knowest I love thee.” Jesus replied each time, “Feed my lambs”, “Feed my sheep”, and “Feed my sheep.”  Then Jesus revealed to Peter that he would die as a martyr for Jesus.

Jesus was not done with Peter after Peter denied him. Jesus had said before this all happened, “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 (turned again), strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:31-32). Jesus had prayed for Peter before his denial. Now Peter “turned again”, and Jesus recommissioned him.

Peter’s three-time denial was not a “strike-out.” Through Peter’s failure, God had prepared him, prayed for him, and now it was time for Peter to strengthen the brethren. And we know the end of the story. Peter became the leader in Jerusalem and preached the famous sermon on the day of Pentecost when 3,000 were saved. He then continued faithful until his death.

Dear brother or sister in Christ. Just because you have failed, or are going through a time of trials or deep waters, does not mean you are through. God is preparing and strengthening you for greater things ahead.

If the story of Peter is not enough, look at the lives of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, John Mark, and others.

Your time of trial, or of failure, is a training session. God will put His arms around you, love you, and lift you up, recommissioning you for greater exploits in your future.

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)