Remembrance, Repentance, and the Work of Grace
Adapted and updated by Kelly Mowrer from Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, August 30
"And he broke down and wept." -- Mark 14:72 (NIV)
Some believe that as long as Peter lived he would be moved to tears whenever he remembered how he denied his Lord. It's easy to picture this being true both because his sin was very great, and also because grace made a perfect work in his life afterward.
All of us who have been redeemed share this experience in common with Peter according to the degree in which the Spirit has removed our natural stony hearts.
Like Peter, we can look back and remember our boastful promise: "Even if everyone falls away on account of You, I will never fall away." And then we eat our own words with bitter tears of repentance.
When we think of what we determined we would be, and compare that with what we really have been, we have reason to weep greatly.
Peter remembered how he denied His Lord. He thought about the place where it happened, the very minor provocation he received before he made his horrible betrayal, how he swore and cursed in order to confirm his lies, and how his heart was so hard that he could keep repeating the lying words of betrayal over and over.
May we never take a dry-eyed look at our own sins with a cold and distant heart. Instead, like Peter, may we see them for the horror they really are and find our own tears falling as we cry again to God for fresh assurance of His forgiveness and love.
Peter also remembered how Jesus looked at him after the rooster crowed the third time. That look of love was never out of Peter's mind for the rest of his life. It was far more effective than ten thousand sermons would have been without the Spirit.
And Peter's broken heart of repentance would overflow with still more tears as he remembered how completely he was restored by his Savior's full and immediate forgiveness.
To think how often we each have casually hurt such a loving, forgiving Lord is more than enough reason for all of us to weep. Lord, strike our stony hearts and make the waters of repentance flow.
© Live at the Well
Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by Live at the Well.
Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By Kelly Mowrer. © Live at the Well.
"And he broke down and wept." -- Mark 14:72 (NIV)
Some believe that as long as Peter lived he would be moved to tears whenever he remembered how he denied his Lord. It's easy to picture this being true both because his sin was very great, and also because grace made a perfect work in his life afterward.
All of us who have been redeemed share this experience in common with Peter according to the degree in which the Spirit has removed our natural stony hearts.
Like Peter, we can look back and remember our boastful promise: "Even if everyone falls away on account of You, I will never fall away." And then we eat our own words with bitter tears of repentance.
When we think of what we determined we would be, and compare that with what we really have been, we have reason to weep greatly.
Peter remembered how he denied His Lord. He thought about the place where it happened, the very minor provocation he received before he made his horrible betrayal, how he swore and cursed in order to confirm his lies, and how his heart was so hard that he could keep repeating the lying words of betrayal over and over.
May we never take a dry-eyed look at our own sins with a cold and distant heart. Instead, like Peter, may we see them for the horror they really are and find our own tears falling as we cry again to God for fresh assurance of His forgiveness and love.
Peter also remembered how Jesus looked at him after the rooster crowed the third time. That look of love was never out of Peter's mind for the rest of his life. It was far more effective than ten thousand sermons would have been without the Spirit.
And Peter's broken heart of repentance would overflow with still more tears as he remembered how completely he was restored by his Savior's full and immediate forgiveness.
To think how often we each have casually hurt such a loving, forgiving Lord is more than enough reason for all of us to weep. Lord, strike our stony hearts and make the waters of repentance flow.
© Live at the Well
Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by Live at the Well.
Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By Kelly Mowrer. © Live at the Well.