“Lead us not into temptation.” Matthew 6:13
On the night that Jesus was betrayed, He said to the disciples, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (26:41), but Peter did not watch and Peter did not pray.
Jesus knew that Peter would enter into temptation and He said, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times” (Matt. 26:34). But Jesus also said: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).
Jesus knew that Peter would fail, but He prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail. And that’s why sin did not have the last word in Peter’s life. He turned again. That’s restoring grace.
Jesus went to the cross and He died for sinners like Peter and like us. Then He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven where He intercedes for us. That’s why sin will not have the final word in your life.
Like Peter, you will fail, but like Peter, you will turn again. And when you repent, you will be restored. Why? Because Christ has prayed for you and when you fall into temptation, Christ will not let you go.
There is a wonderful verse in Micah that will help you, especially if you feel defeated by your own repeated failure. “Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me” (Mic. 7:8). That’s restoring grace!
If you are a Christian today, the Lord is your Shepherd and He will restore your soul. The enemy may have knocked you down. But by God’s grace you will turn again. You will rise up, forgiven and restored. Sin can never have the last word in your life, because Christ intercedes for you, and His restoring grace will never let you go.
Do you (or someone you know) need restoring grace? You can ask God for it today!
