Not Alone

Lord, You have searched me and known me.
—Psalm 139:1
Did you know that your shortcomings and failures come as no surprise to God? He is all-knowing. God knows everything about you. Jesus Christ knows you better than you know yourself. So it came as no shock to the Lord when Peter failed. But Jesus loved that man, just as He loves you.

Jesus even gave Peter a second chance. The disciples were sitting in the Upper Room when Jesus turned to Simon Peter and said something that must have shocked this man to the core:
" ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you…’ " (see Luke 22:31).

Can you imagine if He said that to you? There you are. Your heart is filled with love for Him. You can’t think of anyone you love more. And suddenly, Jesus turns to you and says, "Satan has been asking for you."
But I love the next verse. Jesus said to Peter, " ‘But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail’ " (Luke 22:32). Think of that. Jesus was praying for Peter, just as He is praying for you. If you knew that Jesus was in this room right now, praying for you specifically by name, would that give you courage? Would that give you strength? Would that encourage you?

Let me say this. Right now Jesus Christ is praying for you. We know that because the Bible says, "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

Just as surely as Jesus was standing in the gap for Peter, He is standing there for you. He knows you, and He is praying for you. You are not alone.

Pastor Mike