Father, I have a full day ahead. There are endless possibilities for what I can do and where I can go. May Your hand be upon me so that Your love will influence each and every step. Amen.
Matthew 16:13-17 (<<click the green)
I think we all can relate to the Apostle Peter. When we look at his life as revealed in Scripture, we can tell that he is the real deal. Everywhere we see him, he’s the genuine article – real responses, he says what comes to mind (for better or worse). There is absolutely no pretense, for what you see is what you get – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Lord, for the most part, there is great comfort in the realization that You know everything there is to know about us – our strengths, our weaknesses, our potential. You knew Peter. In fact Ephesians 1:4 applies to him as it does to us all. “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”
In today’s passage, it’s not too surprising that Peter figured out that You were the Messiah. Messiah (a Hebrew term) and Christ (a Greek term) both mean “anointed one.” You were the One prophesied to come, the One who was to be the answer to all of Israel’s problems, anointed by God to accomplish His will. Peter had witnessed much to back up this truth.
But “the Son of the living God” thing? That was not a Peter thing, it was a God thing! With this proclamation, You replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, [Peter] because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.”
Peter was a rough, well-seasoned shall we say, fisherman but beyond that, he was sensitive to the most important thing in life – You. He heard and answered Your call to follow You. And although he regularly was caught with his foot in his mouth, he loved You and sought You with all his heart, soul, mind and strength.
Lord Jesus, may I take after Peter in that I would be sensitive to You and what You would have me know and do on my own journey of life. Amen.
May 31st, 2018, Thurs, 7:17 am
