GETTING UP WHEN WE’RE DOWN

Bob Richards is the only two-time gold medal winner of the pole vaulting competition in the world Olympics. An ordained minister, the “Vaulting Vicar” once said, “I’ve never seen a great champion who quit when he was beaten. A champion refuses to go down and stay down. He bounces back to a greater victory every time.”

We often recall the events in the life of the Apostle Peter. On three occasions during the trial of Jesus, he denied his Lord three times. He was prejudiced against Gentile Christians and was known to be prejudiced against them on certain occasions. He spoke without thinking and was seen as brash and at times impulsive.

But in spite of these facts, he was one of the “inner three” of the disciples, their recognized leader, and he eventually became the “spokesman” for the early church after Pentecost.

In Peter we see one who failed but would not let his failure keep him down or keep him from being a follower of Jesus. We must always believe that when we fail to do what God has for us to do, He still loves us, will never forsake us or abandon us.

Prayer:  We are grateful, Lord, for Your faithfulness and presence in our lives and that You will always love us in spite of our faults and failures. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   For I can do everything through Christ,[a] who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13