Peter failed many times. You may ask, Why? That’s the only way he could learn.
Failure helps you to realize you don’t know it all. Someone else may discover your future before you do. You may even keep resisting doing what God intended for you to do.
Peter almost decapitated Malchus, the servant of the High Priest in the Garden of Gethsemane. He missed and just sliced his ear off. Jesus said, “Put your sword up.” Then Jesus picked up the man’s severed ear and reattached it. Many people observed the miracle of reattachment. Notice that the observing soldiers did nothing—no arrests for the attempted murder.
Later, when Peter witnessed the trials of the Lord, he realized he had denied knowing Jesus three times. When the rooster crowed in the morning, the eyes of the Lord met Peter’s eyes. Peter realized what he said and went where he could privately ask for forgiveness (Luke 22:62).
Peter and six other disciples went fishing after the Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection. They fished all night without a nibble. At daybreak, the disciples saw the Lord standing on the shore. He said, “Move your net to the right side of the boat.” Then, 153 fish swam into their net.
Spiritual success happens when you obey the Lord, not before. When the day of Pentecost came—there was a prerequisite—prayer.
Timing is everything in the Lord’s work. Nothing miraculous happens without His blessings. Think about the previous sentence and reflect on it. You will see the hand of God moving in your life, waiting for you to arrive at the place where you’re willing for God to use you.
Then it happens. All the preliminaries were the times of God’s patience. Waiting for you to submit. Finally, things begin to change when you allow God to control your life. Do your part and let God do His; all will be well for eternity.
