A Fresh Start
Wednesday, October 15
Matthew 26:69-72 (NIV)
“Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
Devotion
Peter had walked closely with Jesus—he witnessed miracles, received revelation, and even promised that he would never deny Him. Yet, when the moment of testing came, fear took hold, and Peter denied knowing Jesus—not once, but three times.
It’s easy to look at Peter’s failure and shake our heads, but if we’re honest, we’ve all had “courtyard moments”—times when fear, pride, or weakness led us to make choices that dishonored God. In those moments, the enemy rushes in to condemn us, whispering that we’ve gone too far, that we’ve messed up beyond repair, and that God could never use us again.
But the story doesn’t end in the courtyard. The same Jesus Peter denied is the same Jesus who later restored him by the sea (John 21). Jesus didn’t cast Peter aside; He called him back, reminding him of his purpose: “Feed My sheep.” What grace! What love!
The enemy wants you to stay stuck in your guilt, replaying your mistakes and reliving your failures. But Jesus came to set you free. His mercy is greater than your worst decision, and His forgiveness wipes the slate clean. In Christ, every ending can become a new beginning.
No matter what you’ve done or how far you’ve fallen, Jesus offers you the same invitation He gave Peter—a fresh start and a renewed purpose.
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I ask for Your forgiveness for the times I let fear, pride, or weakness cause me to make decisions that did not glorify Your name, but did the exact opposite. I turn from my mistakes and trust in Your tender mercy to forgive me. I believe You are the Resurrection and the Life. Cause the dead places in my life to live again. Cause me to walk in the footsteps You have prepared before me, and lead me in Your truth. I trust in You, and I return to You. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
The voice of the enemy replays your failures to you over and over again. Don’t listen to him. Remember, he is the father of lies! The absolute truth is that Jesus’ blood, which was shed on the cross for us all, was more than enough—enough to wipe away every stain and every failure. So stand up in faith in the righteousness He has provided (2 Corinthians 5:21). See yourself as He sees you. A new day is arising!
Resources
- Watch this message, “Start Where You Are,” and be encouraged to know that it’s never too late to begin again with the Lord.
- We want to partner with you in prayer for your new beginning! Submit your Prayer Request today.