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Luke 22
When Jesus foretold Peter’s denial of Him, He said to Peter, “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.” (Lk. 22:32a). So if Peter’s denial was not his faith failing, what was it? There are actually a couple other interesting things about Jesus’ words to Peter here as well. Like, why did Jesus call him Simon instead of Peter? Another is that Jesus indicated that all of them would be sifted like wheat (the “you” at that point is plural) but that He prayed specifically for Simon (a singular “you” there).
I do not know what the significance of using the name Simon is here. But as for the faith not failing, I guess I would have to say that it faltered, but ultimately held fast because Peter turned back. I also have no answer for why Jesus prayed for Peter specifically. It may be that He prayed for the others as well, but was speaking specifically to Peter at this point, so addressed him individually. And it seems He addressed Peter specifically because Jesus commissioned him to help the others after passing through his own trial.
That doesn’t answer much for me in this interesting little exchange. It does, however show me something important. It shows me that faltering isn’t failing. My mistakes don’t render me faithless, nor do they cause God to reject me. Quite the opposite, actually. This little interaction also shows me that God uses my mistakes to strengthen my faith so that I can then help strengthen the faith of others who are also struggling. Isn’t it just like God to use my lowest moments to lift others up for His glory?!
Joel 1-3
Joel writes about a locust infestation. What does he tell the people to do? What promises does he make? Compare 2:28-32 with Acts 2:16-21. In the beginning God created, and it was good. However, man sinned and all of creation fell under the curse of separation from God. Then God created a nation – Israel. God redeemed His nation from the cursed situation they were in, made a covenant with them, and settled them in a good land. But Israel, too, sinned, thus separating themselves from God again. Israel’s situation is an image of that of all mankind. Thus, Joel’s poetry, a story of Israel’s destruction and redemption, is a call to all of us to return to our God.
Joel tell us to hear the message, to wake up and see the curse and the devastation we are in. He tells us to mourn because we have been cut off from God and to despair at the curse on creation. Then he tells us to call on the LORD. The LORD will come with a mighty army and many will be destroyed. “The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?” (Joel 2:11b). God answers that question by saying, “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate” (Joel 2:13a). There it is – yet another example of turning the external, physical expression into something internal.
All those strange things God told His people to do are physical demonstrations of what we must do with our inner selves. Likewise, all those things God did for His people are physical demonstrations of what He does for us spiritually. So when we rend our hearts, humble ourselves before God, and truly repent, God takes pity on us and steps in to save. And boy does He save! “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:2fa), “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” (Joel 2:28a). “And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Joel 2:32a). No more separation from God. No more curse on creation. And now, instead of just dwelling with us physically, as in the Garden of Eden, we have a connection to God that nothing can ever sever.