Bible Verse of the Day Friday May 19th, 2023

Luke 22:61-62 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

There is a button on a computer; it is usually in the upper left-hand corner of most programs and is a curved arrow to the left. This remarkable computer command is known as the back button, or some refer to it as the "un-do" button. It allows you to return to where you were before you made a mistake. That button becomes your best friend when you spend untold hours writing blogs and sermons and compiling bible studies. There is some debate surrounding the twenty century's most outstanding achievement. The Windows back (Undo) button would be that achievement. Wouldn't it be great if there was one of those in real life, some way to reverse or restore something in our lives that sin has broken?

Peter had boasted that if everyone denied Christ, he never would, then when it mattered the most, he denied Jesus three times just like the Savior said it would happen. In our text verse today, we read that Jesus looked at Peter, and he "wept bitterly." Our Lord and Savior looked out through the large crowd gathered there that night when the rooster crowded. His eyes fell on Peter’s eyes, and the Apostle Peter immediately experienced convicted of the sin that he had fallen into. Peter's sin was not just that He denied Jesus when it mattered the most, but the sin of pride that made him believe that he could never deny Jesus.

The Bible does not say, but I suspect that the tears Peter shed that night were tears of shame and repentance. Peter was most likely looking for the "Undo Button," and the Lord did not abandon Peter to live out his life in misery and shame. During Christ's time on the earth after His resurrection, He restored Peter to a life of service to His Lord and Savior (John 21:15-17). There is also an undo button for us today to be restored by Christ Jesus when we have fallen into some trap of Satan (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13). There will be times that we all, in our weak flesh, fall into one of Satan's snares. God will not leave us in our misery; He will forgive our sins if we approach the throne with a repentant heart.

A sin committed daily with no intent to turn from that sin is not indicative of a repentant heart. God will forgive the sin that we are ready and willing to repent and turn away from. Unfortunately, many people today want to confess their sins but are unwilling to turn away from them. Consequently, many Christians live a life of shame and guilt rather than a life of victory that God intends for us to live. If you are not living this life of victory today and feel remorse or guilt because of some sin that plagues you daily, an "Un-Do" button is ready for you to use. Repent today, turn away from whatever sin has befallen you, and the Lord will restore you just as He restored Peter.