What Jesus Did! 'Overcoming Failure' — Luke 22:31-32

Thursday, December 7, 2023

[Jesus continued,] "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers."
— Luke 22:31-32 NLT

Key Thought

Most of us would define Peter's denials of the Lord as failures. In some of Jesus' worst moments, Peter denied he had any connection with the Lord [1] even though a short time before his denials, he had been adamant that he would never turn away from the Lord. [2] We must learn two very important lessons. First, our failures don't have to be the defining characteristic of our walk with Jesus. Peter was weak and stumbled, but because of his sincere repentance, the Lord's help, and the power of the Holy Spirit, he was used mightily by the Lord. We must never relegate anyone, not even ourselves, to the junk heap for letting the Lord down at one time or another. He is gracious and compassionate and will forgive our sins when we genuinely repent. Second, the Lord can use our failures to equip us to serve others in his family better.

[1] Matthew 26:69-74.
[2] Matthew 26:33-35.

Today's Prayer

Father, please forgive me for the times I've given up on one of your other children or on myself because of failures in faith. Help me to be more gracious to others and to myself and more committed to helping all of us see our opportunities to serve through the brokenness of our stumblings. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

8 Related Resources by Heartlight

Spurgeon PM Devo for Jan. 11th
Devo: Morning & Evening
"How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer's never- ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, he pleads for us; and when we are not praying, he....."
Failure Isn't Fatal...
Article by Phil Ware
More than just celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, we should also celebrate the power of the Lord to forgive and restore us beyond our sinful stumbles. Phil Ware reminds us of a powerful truth that lies behind Pentecost Sunday and the failure of the apostles that Jesus didn't consider ultimate failure.
Failure: Springboard to Success
Article by Rubel Shelly
What can we learn from our own failures? Don't quit in the middle of failure, but understand it is part of the learning and growing process.
A Turnaround
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Seeker of truth, For several days, I will continue talking to you about restoring Peter back to ministry after his three denials on the night of..."
See All 8 Related Resources about Luke 22:31-32

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 22:31-32 NLT — "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, December 7, 2023

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Submission' (Ep. 5:21-6:9)
"Dear Father, Help all of us who reverence Christ to be submissive to each other, even as he submitted himself to the people about him so that he..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Sing it Out!' (Ps. 107:22)
"Tell the world [all the wonderful things God has done to save and bless you] — sing it out!"
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Romans 14:8
"If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'To Caesarea' (Acts 23:31-34)
"So that night, as ordered, the soldiers took Paul as far as Antipatris. They returned to the fortress [in Jerusalem] the next morning, while the..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!