When The Morning Comes

When The Morning Comes

John 21:3-4

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

We can follow Simon Peter, the man who denied the Lord, through the darkness of despair into the dawning of a new day of hope.

1. THE DARKNESS OF A SERVANT’S FAILURE.

A. His Failure Was In Spite Of The Privileges Peter Had Known.

He had known the companionship of the Master during the days that unfolded the fullness of the grace and love of God for fallen man.

B. His Failure Was In Spite Of The Profession Peter Had Made.

Matthew 26:33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

For in spite of all we have professed, we have known what it is to give the lie to our profession and have denied the Lord we said we loved.

2. THE DAWN OF A SERVANT’S FORGIVENESS.

That moment when the risen Christ appeared on the shore spoke of the dawn of hope in the darkness of the despair in the heart of Simon Peter.

A. Christ Brought To Mind The Realization Of His Failing Experience.

John 21:5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

B. Christ Brought To Mind The Remembrance Of His Former Experience.

John 21:6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

3. THE DAY OF A SERVANT’S FAVOR.

A. In This New Day, I See Peter Communing With His Lord.

A threefold question about his love for the Lord.

A threefold reminder of his denial of the Lord.

B. In This New Day, I See Peter Commissioned By His Lord.

Peter was forgiven for his sins.

Peter was fortified for his services.

Many have travelled the same road from the darkness of despair through the dawn of hope into the day of usefulness and service.

Conclusion:

Weighed down by a burden of sorrow,

Oppressed by temptation within,

The darkness of night overtook me,

I wandered alone, far from Him.

Unworthy I felt to approach Him,

Yet longed for His friendship again.

But how could He love one who'd grieved Him

And caused Him such anguish and pain?

I tried to forget Him by turning

My eyes to the pleasures around,

But found they were hollow and worthless,

My soul no true happiness found.

Too lost in my own self to notice

The Master was there all the time,

Following me close through the darkness

His footsteps were planted by mine.

I suddenly heard His soft footstep

And looked up to see His face

Great longing and love and forgiveness,

Such tenderness and infinite grace.

Forgotten were things close behind me,

In the light of His love they grew dim,

Instead of the dark came the day-break

And in place of a bleak nothingness was Him!

New day followed quickly the dawning,

Dispelling the gloom of the night,

My hand clasped in that of the Master

As we journeyed toward the new light.