Restoration

Some time ago I made a large mistake and it almost cost me everything I had. When I spoke to my youngest son he said, “Dad just promise me, that you will get back on the horse and ride again.” My son was only telling me what I have told so many, life is all about falling down, getting up, dusting yourself off, and going again.

Micah 7:7-10 Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation;

My God will hear me. 8 Do not rejoice over me, my enemy;

When I fall, I will arise;

When I sit in darkness,

The Lord will be a light to me.

9 I will bear the indignation of the Lord Because I have sinned against Him Until He pleads my case

And executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness.

10 Then she who is my enemy will see, and shame will cover her who said to me,

“Where is the Lord your God?”

My eyes will see her; Now she will be trampled down Like mud in the streets.

While Jesus was eating the last Supper meal with His disciples, he told Judas that he would betray him. Then Jesus told Peter that he would deny him.

Matthew 26:20-25 When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. 21 Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”22 And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?”23 He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”25 Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.”

Luke 22:31-34 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day until you deny three times that you know me.”

When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders…So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:3-5)

Remorse is a deep feeling of guilt and sorrow. Feeling sorry for yourself. Guilt keeps you in bondage and increases the power of sin. Guilt is something you can feel within yourself but never allow others to know the reason for your guilt. The power of sin is in its secrecy.

Peter reacted completely differently and did not run away or let shame destroy his life. He hung around the disciples and especially the disciple whom Jesus loved. When Peter denied Jesus a third time, he knew he had blown it, and that he had failed.

Luke 22 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

After Peter had denied Jesus, he like Judas was sorrowful but His sorrow led to repentance and he went back to join the other disciples.

The day Mary Magdalene found the tomb empty she went first to Peter and the disciple Jesus loved and told them. Peter and the disciple ran to the empty tomb. John 20:4

So many when they have sinned do not run to Jesus. They run away. They go into hiding and many lose their faith. They leave the body of believers. If you have sinned run back to Jesus as fast as you can.

Acts 3:19-21: "Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began."