Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” – Mark 14:29

I love Peter. I’ve talked about it before in these devotionals, but I have always loved and identified with Peter, as I believe a large percentage of Christians do. Peter was all heart. He’s absolutely a creature of his emotions; impetuous and brave, passionate and fiery, but not always able to live up to what he wishes he could be as a servant of Christ.

In this passage, we see his devotion, courage, and his intent to follow Jesus, even unto death. But we know just hours later, he would be denying Him in fear of death. As readers, we wonder how that happened? How did Peter flip on his word so fast?

Friends, we all do this every day. We extol how we hate people who are unkind, then we get in a rush and snap at a cashier. We promise God that we’re going to keep our eyes on Him, and then we’re sinking under the waves. It’s so easy to forget your promise not to commit that pet sin anymore, and before you know it you’re back in its thrall.

Peter was human, and so are we. He lets Jesus and himself and us down when he betrays Christ, but think of this:

Had they caught him that night, he might have been executed along with Jesus, preventing a career of ministry that helped shape the early Christian church. Peter is believed to be the actual author of the book of Mark, dictating the stories to him in his old age, and that probably couldn’t have happened if he hadn’t messed up and had been arrested by guards that night.

The reason I say that? God can make the best of your worst, most disloyal mistakes. Your heart is what matters, and one thing Peter was definitely is a man with a heart for God. A reckless, headstrong, deeply flawed man with a heart for his savior. It was because of that that Jesus called him Cephas, and said He would build His kingdom on him.

Even when you’re destined to fall short, may your gut reaction always be, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” ❤️