This Week: August 11-16
Agony of Denial
In Luke 22:54–62, Peter follows Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard after His arrest. Determined to stay close and ready to help, Peter also faces a dangerous reality—being recognized as one of His disciples could cost him his freedom, or his life. When confronted, Peter denies knowing Jesus three times.
“The Lord turned and looked at Peter… and he went out and wept bitterly.”
(Luke 22:61–62)
(Luke 22:61–62)
Peter’s intentions weren’t to abandon Jesus—he believed staying near was the best way to help. Yet, in preserving one good (proximity), he sacrificed another (public faithfulness). This moment reminds us that in life, two good things can come into conflict, and sometimes the hardest decision is not between good and bad, but between good and better.
Table of Contents
Key Points:
- Good Things Can Conflict – Faithfulness may require choosing between two good actions.
- Timing Matters in God’s Plan – Some good things are for “not yet.”
- Responsible Action Requires Discernment – Like Peter, we must prayerfully assess not only what God calls us to do, but when.
5-Day Devotional
Day 1: When Good Meets Good
Scripture Reference: Luke 22:61–62 — “The Lord turned and looked 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.”
Peter’s choice to stay close to Jesus came into conflict with proclaiming his faith. Sometimes, two good priorities can’t coexist in the same moment.
Action Step: Think about a time when you had to choose between two good things. What guided your decision?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, give me wisdom when good things in my life seem to compete.
Peter’s choice to stay close to Jesus came into conflict with proclaiming his faith. Sometimes, two good priorities can’t coexist in the same moment.
Action Step: Think about a time when you had to choose between two good things. What guided your decision?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, give me wisdom when good things in my life seem to compete.
Day 2: The Not Yet
Scripture Reference: Ecclesiastes 3:1 — “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Peter would one day go to prison and even face death for his faith—but not that night. God’s “not yet” is not the same as “no.”
Action Step: Identify one area of life where you may need to wait for God’s timing.
Prayer Prompt: God, help me trust Your timing, even when I’m ready to act now.
Peter would one day go to prison and even face death for his faith—but not that night. God’s “not yet” is not the same as “no.”
Action Step: Identify one area of life where you may need to wait for God’s timing.
Prayer Prompt: God, help me trust Your timing, even when I’m ready to act now.
Day 3: Responsible Action
Scripture Reference: Proverbs 19:2 — “Desire without knowledge is not good—how much more will hasty feet miss the way!”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer called it “responsible action”—pausing to discern the best good you can do in the moment.
Action Step: Before making a big decision this week, take time for prayer and reflection.
Prayer Prompt: Holy Spirit, slow me down so I can choose the best good in each moment.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer called it “responsible action”—pausing to discern the best good you can do in the moment.
Action Step: Before making a big decision this week, take time for prayer and reflection.
Prayer Prompt: Holy Spirit, slow me down so I can choose the best good in each moment.
Day 4: Faith Under Pressure
Scripture Reference: Matthew 26:33–35 — “Peter replied, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.’ ‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the other disciples said the same.”
Peter sincerely believed he would never deny Jesus, yet pressure revealed his limits.
Action Step: Reflect on an area of your faith where pressure makes it harder to stand firm. Ask God for strength in that area.
Prayer Prompt: Lord, strengthen me so my faith holds under pressure.
Peter sincerely believed he would never deny Jesus, yet pressure revealed his limits.
Action Step: Reflect on an area of your faith where pressure makes it harder to stand firm. Ask God for strength in that area.
Prayer Prompt: Lord, strengthen me so my faith holds under pressure.
Day 5: Looking Forward
Scripture Reference: John 21:15–17 — “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’ Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’ The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’”
After the resurrection, Jesus restores Peter and reaffirms his calling. Failure is never the end of the story.
Action Step: Write down one past failure. Then list how God brought growth or redemption from it.
Prayer Prompt: Father, thank You for restoring me and using my failures for Your glory.
After the resurrection, Jesus restores Peter and reaffirms his calling. Failure is never the end of the story.
Action Step: Write down one past failure. Then list how God brought growth or redemption from it.
Prayer Prompt: Father, thank You for restoring me and using my failures for Your glory.
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