What Jesus Did! 'Overstating Our Courage' — Luke 22:33-34

Friday, December 8, 2023

Multiplication of Ministry Week

We're celebrating what God has done and sharing what's next for this ministry.

 Learn More
Peter said, "Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you."

But Jesus said, "Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me."

— Luke 22:33-34 NLT

Key Thought

One of our weaknesses as mere mortals is to overstate our courage. So often, we fail to realize the power of fear - why else would the Bible contain so many commands not to be afraid? Peter's intentions were genuine, but the power of discouragement, despair, disillusionment, and fear was greater. What commitments have you made to the Lord that you did not keep? Even though Peter denied his Lord three times, [1] the Lord worked in Peter's life [2] so that he would not be destroyed. He can do the same for you in your times of failure and loss. However, we should take the warning given to Peter as our own. When we feel most secure in our strength and courage, we are often most vulnerable. [3] Our strength must come from the Lord and not our feelings of invincible faith.

[1] Luke 22:54-60.
[2] John 21:15-19.
[3] 1 Corinthians 10:12.

Today's Prayer

O Lord, thank you for loving Peter even though you knew he would let you down. Thank you for restoring and using him after his sinfulness and failure. My desire, O God, is never to trust in my own strength but to trust always in your power at work in me. When I begin to get full of myself and confident in my own power, please humble me gently so that in crucial moments I will not fail you! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Failure: Springboard to Success
Article by Rubel Shelly
What can we learn from our own failures? Don't quit in the middle of failure, but understand it is part of the learning and growing process.
Beyond Failure
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, Over the next several days, I will take you on a journey with My apostle, Simon Peter. Before his denial of even knowing Me, I warned....."
Never the Same
Article by Tom Norvell
Are you ready to have your life changed? Many events in our lives change us forever, our lives will never be the same as a result, and Jesus is one of those life-changing events.
Affirming Their Best and Not Giving Up in Their Stumbles
Article by Phil Ware
I can't help but believe that every time Peter heard a rooster crow, he also remembered the Lord's words of affirmation and assurance. Phil Ware reminds us that Jesus affirmed Peter's value and his return to useful service BEFORE Peter's stumbling denials by the fire.

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 22:33-34 NLT — "Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you." —— "Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, December 8, 2023

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Hebrews 13:13
"Jesus, bearing his cross, went forth to suffer without the gate. The Christian's reason for leaving the camp of the world's sin and religion is not..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Beyond Bread'
"Dear Precious Disciple, Today, I hope you realize that everything is different because of what we celebrated together yesterday. Resurrection Sunday...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'A Violent Leader is Feared, Not Followed'
"[Stephen continued his defense before the council:] "One day when Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his relatives, the people of Israel....."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by William Barclay:
"In any museum we will find quite ordinary things - clothes, a walking stick, a pen, pieces of furniture - which are only of value because they were possessed..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!