And when you have turned back…. (devo reflection)

Luke 22:32 “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Lord, Thank You for understanding our human limitations and weaknesses, for praying that our faith will not fail us in trials, for knowing that it will falter because of our humanity, for encouraging us, when we finally get ourselves back on track, to encourage others. 
Luke 22:61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown Me three times.”
Lord, Thank You for the compassion with which You treated Simon Peter. You told him of his denial but assured him he’d get back on track, and when he did, he needed to encourage his brothers. That pointed look at the time of his denial was not Your way of saying “I told you this would happen,” but rather Your way of saying, “Don’t forget what comes next. You WILL turn back to me. I AM going ahead of you. You need to encourage your brothers.”
Luke 22:62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for Your fierce love for us. Thank You for loving us through our weaknesses, and for the reminder that You are going ahead of us, and when we turn back to You, we need to encourage our brothers and sisters. Help us not to get stuck in our bitter castigations when we mess up. You can’t use us if we’re stuck in pity and shame. Help us turn quickly back to You and to encourage each other on this journey. Draw us all closer. Amen.
Luke 22:32 … “And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Have a blessed day.