Day 9. Strength out of Weakness
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"But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:32
Peter was not to be lost in the terrible experience through which he was to pass. Christ had made intercession for him, and he would come again from the trial humbled, bruised, defeated — but saved, and a better man. Our Lord tells him here, that after his restoration he should turn his experience to account in helping other souls. "And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." He would be able then to warn others of the dangers in which he had suffered so terribly.
We can imagine Peter in after days, counseling Christians against self-confidence and the other false steps which led to his own fall, and thus strengthening or establishing them in safe ways. Then there is no doubt that his experience of penitence, and of the grace and love of Christ in that experience — enabled him to be a wise and safe guide to many other disciples who had fallen into sin and were seeking to be restored.
The lesson is important. All the lessons that God teaches to us — we should teach to others. When we are helped — it is that we may then help others. When God comforts us in any sorrow — He thereby ordains us to go forth to comfort others with the comfort with which we ourselves have been comforted of God.
When we fall in temptation, and God lifts us up and restores us — He wants us to use our experience in helping other weak ones in their temptations.
O lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Your hungering ones with manna sweet.
O strengthen me, that while I stand
Firm on the rock, and strong in thee,
I may stretch out a loving hand
To wrestlers with the troubled sea.
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