Simon’s Faith Crisis

Photo from Unsplash: Ben White Photography

“I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32

Simon Peter, the rock, was about to do the unimaginable. He would deny the Lord three times before the rooster crowed.

This man of God had witnessed miracles and walked in close fellowship with the Lord. Nonetheless, the difficulty he would soon encounter was horrendous, grievous, and awful beyond human comprehension. He had left everything to follow the Lord. Everything. And now the One on Whom he placed his hope was about to be ripped away. Simon’s own soul would tear apart in three denials:

I do not know this man ✝︎ I do not know this man ✝︎ I do not know this man

Jesus did not ignore what was about to happen. He prepared Simon through prayer and by speaking direct and hopeful truth.

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” “Lord,” said Peter, “I am ready to go with You even to prison and to death.” But Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.” Luke 22:31-34

Simon would go through a severe faith crisis but that would not be the end of the story. Jesus had already prayed and knew the end from the beginning. Simon would get to the other side stronger, and he would then strengthen others.

Even as our Lord prayed for Simon, He is praying for you.

"Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25 

"Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us." Romans 8:34 Berean Study Bible

Wherever you are, and whatever is going on in your life, Jesus knows your struggle. He also knows that, the cross has made a way of escape for your victory and wholeness. He loves you and nothing you do can change this fact…

"At just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8 

If you or a loved one is in a faith crisis like Simon Peter, please know that God is waiting with open arms to help. Remember Matthew 12:20.

"A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory."

The Lord is praying for you, and I am too.

I invite you to join me now, and make this prayer your own.

Lord. I believe. Help my unbelief. You know my heart, my fears, and my pain. Forgive me and help me to forgive. Thank you for not wanting to crush me and for not despising my smoldering wick. Oh, God! Do what only You can do. Blow into the depths of my soul. Revive me. Heal me. And help me go forth to strengthen others. I receive your underserved mercy and grace. May not one ounce of my struggles be wasted. Somehow. Someway. Turn it for good and use it for Your glory. Amen