Key scripture- “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13b-14 NIV)

I am sure you have heard the story about Peter, when he denied knowing Jesus.

At the dinner table, on the night before Jesus went to the cross, He had a chat with his friend Peter. He referred to Peter by his pre-disciple-days name: Simon.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32).

But Peter replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:33).

If I were Jesus, I would’ve thought … Sure you are, buddy.

“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me’” (Luke 22:34).

A few hours later, Peter did just that. Denied he even knew Jesus. Three times. And then the rooster crowed. ER-er-ER-er ERRRR. (Luke 22:57-61)

And Peter went outside and wept bitterly as he cried and cried and cried. (Luke 22:62).

The next morning, when the rooster crowed, Peter remembered his failure again. And the next, and the next and the next. With every cock-a-doodle-doo came a fresh reminder, first thing every morning what he had done.

I’ve been there. Have you? I have failed. I have wept bitterly and cried and cried and cried. And I have remembered.

Shame has poked drain holes in my Spirit-filled confidence, and I have hidden behind the wall with Peter, and even though I asked God to forgive me, the rooster still crowed in my heart … as I remembered my failure all over again. I was like a trapeze artist who takes hold of the second bar, but refuses to let go of the first, as God calls to me … Let go. Move forward. Live bold. It’s the only way.

When we can’t let go of the shame, Paul tells us what to do … “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me … Forgetting what lies behind and reaching for what lies ahead …” (Philippians 3:12b,13b).

When we finally grasp all that Jesus has done for us and placed in us, we begin to experience life to the full. But taking hold is not enough. We’ve also got to let go.

Let go of shame-filled ponderings and take hold of grace-filled pardon.

Let go of crippling bitterness and take hold of radical forgiveness.

Let go of weak-kneed worry and take hold of sure-footed confidence.

Let go of insecurity and take hold of your true identity as a child of God.

Let go of preoccupation with self-doubt and take hold of God’s power-filled promises.

Let go of comparison to others and take hold of your God-fashioned uniqueness.

Let go of the lies holding you hostage and take hold of the truth that sets you free.

Let go of sins that have been forgiven and take hold of God’s grace and forgiveness.

After Peter failed, did Jesus shame him and tell him, “Three strikes Peter and you’re out or I knew you would blow it, Peter.” Absolutely Not! Instead, after His resurrection, Jesus pulled Peter aside and asked him three times … one for each denial … “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” then“Feed my lambs” (John 21:15b).

Jesus removed the shroud of shame hanging from Peter’s guilt-weary shoulders, and called him to return to the ministry he’d begun. Which is exactly what Peter did, and Jesus does the same for me and you. So let go of your shame today, take hold of grace, and the next time you hear the rooster of failure crow, smile and stand tall because you have been forgiven.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, Hallowed be Your Name, You are Yahweh Tsidkenu, You are my Righteousness, and Jesus is the reason that I can come before You in prayer today. Thank You for forgiving me when I fail You. Help me to not continue to feel guilty over something You’ve already forgiven. Help me to not listen to the devil’s accusations, but instead listen to the Holy Spirit’s whispers of grace and to always remember that if I confess my sins,You are faithful and righteous to forgive my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I know that because of my faith in Jesus Christ I have the righteousness of Christ imputed to me. I know that my qualification to come before You, a Holy God, is not based on my own performance, but it is the fact that when You look at me, You see me through the Righteousness of Christ. What an awesome motivation that is for me not to pull back when I sin, but instead to come boldly before Your throne and cry out to You for forgiveness and grace. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

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