Have Thine own way
Lord, usher me in,
Time of Teshuvah,
Out with this sin.
Day 4 of 40 Days of Teshuvah
My favorite time of year. Times of refreshing!
Can you swim?
Repentance is not a bad word and to miss the mark does not mean a death sentence. It does not mean you are disqualified even if you believe you are. It is when it looks the most hopeless there we find the grace of our Lord! It is the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ…….
In 2017 at our bible study, Greg and I, taught about Peter, and what a beautiful picture and portrait of Teshuvah, Peter’s life story is. The Lord Jesus gives us a perfect outline of Teshuvah, with the story of Peter, and his life.
The story describes Peter obeying the word, falling at Jesus feet, at the first big catch, saying depart from me, I am a sinful man. Then the heartbreak in the middle – Peter denies Him, and wept bitterly. Peter believed he was no longer worthy or qualified to fulfill his assignment. Could the truth be that, Peter, never was qualified, but that he was chosen? I believe that the great sifting, and Peters denial of knowing Jesus, may have been the very events that qualified him to usher in the church, on the day of Pentecost. The church is our safe refuge. A place to find hope, a place to be ushered into the grace of our Lord Jesus, who paid it all.
Peter’s eyes were spiritually opened and he shares with us in his teachings, many valuable lessons. Lessons like, how to not stumble, how to be sober and vigilant and to watch out for Satan and his schemes. Peter explains that when we ‘shuv’ or do Teshuvah, we are called a chosen generation, a royal priesthood a peculiar people. How could Peter describe and teach like this, where did he learn these deep truths? He had lived them. Read 1 and 2 Peter.
Luke 5:4-8, 10-11
When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (Romans 2:4 not knowing it is the goodness of God that leadeth thee to repentance).
And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.”
In the scriptures we are allowed a front row seat and a full account of Peters call, his time of sifting and his fall, his denial, and finally his full repentance and return. What we are able to know through the account in John’s gospel is that The Lord planned to see His disciples. Jesus not only went to His disciples, He was preparing breakfast for them over a camp fire. (Remember, Peter denied Jesus while warming himself at a campfire). We are witness at Peter’s ‘return’ into the fold. We see our Lord Jesus, reinstate Peter, with three vows. Three times Peter, had denied our Lord, and now three times our Lord Jesus, says, “Peter do you love Me?” Peter was sought after, reinstated and restored. Peter was brought back into his call. After this encounter with our Lord, Peter did indeed fulfill his calling and assignment. Remember? Jesus said upon this rock I will build my church. Peter was able to finish his assignment and be a fisher of men and open the door for the church on the day of Pentecost.
John looked at Peter and said, it is The Lord.
Peter put on his outer cloak, jumped in the water and swam to RETURN-TESHUVAH TO THE LORD!
He jumped; he swam to get back, to return, to once again be in the presence of our LORD. I can almost feel the joy and exuberance Peter must have felt. Can you?
This was the third time recorded; where we know, Peter, had seen The Lord, after His resurrection. We also know that during the first two encounters it is not recorded that Jesus even mentioned Peter’s denial of Him. And when He did, Jesus simply ask a question. No sneering or saying how could you or what were you thinking? No, He simply said, “Peter do you love Me?”
God knows satans attacks and the plans he designed to disgrace us. But God; His plans are for restoration to bring us back into right alignment and relationship.
This is the season of Teshuvah and a time of searching our souls. Repentance is the grace of God. This is a divine appointment. God has set a time in his calendar to meet with you. Have you marked out a place for Him in your day timer or planner? Teshuvah is a mo’ed, a season, an appointed time. And it is glorious! And it is for you and for me.
We are instructed to believe. What are we told to believe? We are told to believe that our God is a restorer and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Perhaps like me, you know the deep sadness caused by sin and have made stupid choices and decisions. I pray this season of Teshuvah is the sweetest breaking up, of the fallow ground of your heart, you ever experience. We need to be afraid, our Lord is preparing a meal for us.
Pray this prayer with me.
Dear Lord, I come humbly today and I ask You to forgive me. I am ashamed of the things I’ve done. I am so sorry for the choices I’ve made, especially the choice (s) to _________________(you fill in the blank). Please forgive me. I find myself wondering, how You can forgive me? Awaken my heart to receive Your grace, and to the things You have created for me to do. What did You have in mind when You created me? I long to know that I am forgiven and returned to the fold. Jeremiah 29:11 tells me, You know the plans You have my life. I commit to read Your word and spend time with You every day. I want to know the plans You have for me. Most of all I want to have a real relationship, with a real You. I want to know You more.
Amen
To this Peter
Acts 3:18-20
but in this way God has fulfilled what He foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and turn back, (return, Teshuvah, shuv) so that your sins may be wiped away, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus, the Christ, who has been appointed for you….
God Bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you and give you Shalom!
You don’t want to miss this special time. It is time to prepare our hearts! ❤
Tender rain falling
Soft nourishing drops,
Replenish and loosen,
Prepare for new crops.
A ground so hard
Brittle and dry,
You cannot plant
No matter how you try.
This gentle rain
Summons a new beginning,
Times of refreshing,
Repentance brimming.
A set season
Purging my soul,
One with You
New life can grow.
Have Thine own way
Lord, usher me in,
Time of Teshuvah,
Out with all sin.
No more mocking.
Hardness old or new,
Whatever is blocking
My desire for More of You.
“Thou are the Potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me,
Search me and try me, Master today.
Whiter than snow Lord
Wash me just now,
As in Thy presence
Humbly I bow.”
“ “ the Song lyrics Have Thine Own Way. Written by Adelaide A. Pollard 1907
Poem written by laurette laster © August 2018
Until next time. Thank you for listening with me.
Through All Seasons 