I Am Not A Failure In His Eyes
BRD REFLECTION 2025
Luke 22:1-38 and Psalm 35:11-28 (NIV)
(Ryan Lim from Companions in Christ Ministry and Church Analytics Core Team)
READ:
Luke 22 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
The verse that stood out to me is: “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (v32)
Jesus knew that Peter would fail by denying Him three times later. Yet Jesus seemed more focused on what Peter should do when he returned to Jesus, namely, strengthen his brethren.
APPLY:
There are times when I feel that I have failed Jesus, especially when I am double-minded about situations or people that I pray for.
Even now, as I continue to pray for my family and my cousin-in-law’s illness, I feel guilty about not truly believing in my prayers, and perhaps that is why they have not come to pass. Maybe if I truly believed, then my prayers would be answered? Has my faith failed? Jesus says that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains; my faith feels even smaller.
Verse 32 comforts me, reminding me that even Peter, who walked so closely with Jesus, could deny knowing Him three times. Rather than focus on Peter’s failure of faith, Jesus encouraged him to return with a restored faith and to strengthen his brethren.
DO:
Instead of condemning myself, I should seek forgiveness and repent of my failures of faith, for God has not condemned me. When I falter or am in doubt, I need not judge myself. Instead, I should restore my faith and focus on returning to God and be a better witness, helping to strengthen others.
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your kindness and love towards me. Even when I feel far from You, You are always near me to comfort and strengthen. Thank You for Your reminder that I need not condemn myself when my faith is weak, but focus on returning to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
