As mentioned in Part I of the Do Over, there are many instances where God demonstrated His mercy by giving people a second chance. One such person was Peter. Luke chapter 22, starting with verse 31, says: "Then the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to have you to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have repented, strengthen your brothers.' He said to Him, 'Lord, I am ready to go with You to prison and to death.' He said, 'I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know Me. (ESV)
1. Jesus knows what you will do before you do it and is always praying for you to stay anchored in your faith.
It is important to understand that before you were in your mother's womb, God had called you and given you a purpose. Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV) says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." You must realize that your mistakes will not change God's plans for what He has purposed you to do. Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him, but God had already determined that Peter would be extremely instrumental in spreading the gospel and establishing churches. The Word of God tells us that Jesus is our High Priest and that He ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25 and Romans 8:34). Do you know that Jesus is on your side and is rooting for you to come back into alignment with His plans and purposes for your life? Remember, Jesus told Peter, "I've prayed for you that after you recover from denying me, you go and strengthen your brothers."
2. Jesus has an assignment for you on the other side of failure.
Jesus prayed for Peter to recover from this failure because He knew there was much work to be done and that Peter still had an assignment on the other side of his failure. God wants to remind us that we don't have to get stuck in our mistakes or shortcomings. We can complete our assignments and walk out our purpose. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Today, I encourage you to run to God and not away from Him when you sin or feel like you've "blown it." Jesus will be right there to forgive you and remind you that you still have an assignment on the other side of that failure. Why not take a few minutes right now and go boldly to the throne to obtain grace and mercy to help in your time of need (Hebrews 4:16)? He will not turn you away.
3. Our enemy, the devil, doesn't want us to access God's forgiveness and Restoration
Finally, our adversary, the devil, doesn't want us to access God's forgiveness and restoration. But I am glad the devil can't stop God from forgiving and restoring you. Often, we focus on what Peter did wrong, but the devil didn't care that he denied Jesus; he just wanted to ensure that Peter wouldn't bounce back, repent, and come back into alignment with God's purposes and plan. In case you didn't know, the devil hates "do-overs" because do-overs allow us to walk in our God-given authority as we demonstrate our victory over him. "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place." (II Corinthians 2:14). It is time to accept and embrace the do-over!
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