# 728 Today's Du-votional comes from Mr 14:69-71, “And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, "This is one of them." 70 But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it." 71 Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!"
Remember, Jesus had prophesied that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed twice. Peter had ducked away into the shadows, but the servant girl finds him and calls him out again. This time in his denial, he stoops as low as he can possibly go with a solemn oath to God that he does not know this Jesus or anything about Him.
Can there be any more grievous sin than this solemn oath? When I pause and consider what's going on here, I am reminded of the relentlessness of God.
Why was Peter put into these situations that caused him to sin repeatedly and grievously?
Because God was going to keep working on Peter until Peter got it.
Further, these situations were all an answer to the prayer of Jesus. Remember what He had told Peter? Lu 22:31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
Jesus was praying for the faith of Peter, and it was these denials that were ultimately going to culminate in the strengthening of his faith.
Do you find yourself mired down in besetting sins? Repeatedly disobeying God? There is hope for you as there was hope for Peter. Jesus is interceding for you. People are praying for you. They are praying that God will relentlessly pursue you as He pursued Peter. Peter eventually “got it” and so will you, if like Peter, you persevere. Don't give up! Keep your heart open to the possible restoration of Jesus.
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