July 30

Morning

And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he broke down and wept. — Mark 14:72 BSB

It has been thought by some that for as long as Peter lived, tears flowed whenever he remembered denying his Lord. This seems likely, for his sin was great, and God’s grace had worked deeply in him. This same experience is common to all God’s redeemed people, to the degree that the Holy Spirit has softened their naturally hard hearts. Like Peter, we recall our proud promises: "Even if all others forsake You, I will not." We end up eating those words, seasoned with the bitter herbs of repentance. When we remember what we pledged to be, and what we’ve actually been, we can weep tears of grief.

Peter remembered how he denied his Lord—how little provocation it took for him to fall into such a grievous sin, the oaths and curses he used to try and prove his lie, and the hardness of heart that allowed him to deny Jesus not once, but repeatedly.

Can we, when reminded of our sins and their seriousness, remain unmoved? Shouldn’t we make our homes places of weeping, like Israel did at Bochim, and cry out to the Lord for renewed assurance of His forgiving love? May we never look at our sins with dry eyes, lest we find our tongues parched in the flames of hell.

Peter also remembered the look of love from his Master. The Lord followed the rooster’s crow with a look full of sorrow, pity, and love. That gaze stayed with Peter for the rest of his life. It accomplished more in Peter’s heart than thousands of sermons could have. The apostle must have wept often when recalling the Savior’s full forgiveness, restoring him to his former place. To think that we have sinned against such a kind and good Lord is more than enough reason to be constant weepers. Lord, strike our hard hearts and make the tears of repentance flow!

Evening

Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away. — John 6:37 BSB

There is no time limit to this promise. It doesn’t say, "I won’t cast out a sinner the first time they come," but rather, "I will never cast out." The original text emphasizes this with even greater force, "I will not, no, never cast out." This means that Christ will not reject anyone who comes to Him—not at first, and not ever.

But what if a believer sins after coming to Him? "If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." What if a believer backslides? "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from them." But what if a believer falls into temptation? "God is faithful, and will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape."

What if a believer falls as David did? "Purge them with hyssop, and they shall be clean; wash them, and they shall be whiter than snow." God promises, "From all their iniquities, I will cleanse them."

"Once in Christ, in Christ forever,
Nothing from His love can sever."

Jesus said, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand." What do you think of this, trembling soul? Isn’t it a precious mercy to know that when you come to Christ, you don’t come to One who will treat you well for a time, then dismiss you. Instead, He will receive you, make you His bride, and keep you forever! Don’t live in fear of rejection; instead, embrace the spirit of adoption, by which you cry out, "Abba, Father!" Oh, what grace there is in those words: "I will never cast out!"