Needless to say, this book is shaking me to my very foundations. I may be out of a job when I get finished.
For wisdom for the President- and Vice President-Elect as they make decisions regarding their families and the move to the White House and the Vice President�s residence in Washington, D. C.
The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
�Proverbs 14:8
Holy God, thank You for being a loving, reaching God who longs for fellowship and intimacy with us. Thank You for the blessing and privilege of prayer so we may speak with You about all our needs and concerns, no matter how large or small they are.
Lord, work now in the lives of the families of the President- and Vice President-Elect, so that they may make the transition to Washington, D.C. with ease. Help those impacted by these moves, Lord, to be open and eager to be in a new place, develop new relationships and face new challenges. Give newly-elected Barack Obama and Vice President insight to do what is best for their families, particularly in the choice of schools. We give You glory, in the name of Christ, for hearing our prayer, amen.
But you are near, O LORD, and all your commandments are true.
Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever. Verses 151-152
Mercy for the Impetuous by Chris Larson
Peter didn't just blow it, he blew it badly. "Though they all fall away...I will never fall away" (Matt. 26:33). Peter's resolution we admire for its confidence and bravery. But it is a statement relying on one's own strength and it is doomed for shipwreck. A few hours go by and we find him alone and weeping (v. 75).
We can relate, can't we? We've made promise after promise to the Lord, resolution after resolution, only to come to the end of ourselves. The sinking feeling churns in our stomach, our earlier works of bold resolve pour like fuel on the fire of guilt and self-condemnation.
Godly sorrow doesn't remove the sting of sin's consequence. Falling short of the glory of God every day in word, thought, and deed is the norm, not the exception (Rom. 3:23). We may be surprised when we blow it, but our sins do not surprise the omniscient, holy God.
So often we want to hide from the Lord when we sin. Yet after Peter's very public failure, he doesn't hide. He waits. Notice what Peter did when he heard it was Jesus on the beach. His exuberance leaps off the pages of the Bible when we read how he throws himself into the water and swims to shore (John 21:7).
Peter's interaction with Jesus instructs us on biblical restoration. It was Jesus who restored Peter. It was Jesus who knew He would bring Peter back to a place of useful service (Luke 22:31-32). In fact, Jesus knew Peter's journey through this dark path would only bring greater fruit as he ministered to those around him. The remarkable trials the first-century church faced required humble, God-dependent leaders who knew their strength rested not within themselves. "God is more willing to pardon than to punish. Mercy does more multiply in Him than sin in us. Mercy is His nature" (Thomas Watson, All Things for Good).
The impetuous disciple resolved to be faithful, but his stumbling has served Christians for millennia who have looked at that event in Peter's life and found the comfort coming from a God of mercy. The Lord overrules our frailty, restores the fallen, and grows His church.
Thank you, Chris Larson! And thank you, Jesus!!
Remember God's mercy!
Grace and peace, friends.