Read: John 13:31-38 and Acts 2:14-41
I have never been the athletic type, nor have I had very much interest in sports. Consequently, during my high school years my attendance at sports events was rare. There is one game in particular, however, that I can remember quite vividly. When I was in tenth grade, I attended a basketball game against one of our arch rivals. Both teams were enjoying a winning season, and the game was expected to be extremely close.
Tension was high that night as I watched the almost even exchange of basket for basket. I remember sitting on the edge of the bleachers, my stomach in knots each time our narrow lead was taken away. In the final minute of the game, our team was down by one point and we had possession of the ball. I really wanted my school to win for the rival team had been bragging on their greatness. I wanted their pride to be shattered.
I anxiously watched the clock as the seconds ticked away. The crowd began counting down at the ten second mark. I was growing more and more tense. Finally, just before the last shot was made I uttered a prayer to the Lord. I said, "Lord, if you will let this shot go in the basket, I will live the rest of my life for You." Four seconds, three, two, one, swish! The ball went in, and we won the game by one point!
I sat on the bench, my mouth wide open, and my body numb. I could not believe what had just happened. The shot went in, THE SHOT WENT IN, and we had won! After the shock wore off, I became so excited. I actually think I floated home. But as time wore on I failed to live up to my promise to God. I spent many years doing my own thing. Yet, I really had meant every word I spoke to Him that night. I fully thought that I would perfectly keep my vow.
As we look at Peter's vow to the Lord in verse 37, we can almost see the same scenario. Jesus was sharing a final meal with His disciples and telling them that someone in the group was going to betray Him. He also told them of His upcoming departure and that they could not follow Him for the moment. Peter replies that he would lay his life down for Jesus. But Jesus knew that, at that moment in time, Peter was not at a place in his life to fulfill that vow. Even though he meant what he was saying with all his heart, he was not yet prepared to carry it out. He was willing but not yet able. But, thanks be to God, a day was coming when he would stand up and uncompromisingly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ!
We can take heart today as we examine Peter's life. How many promises have we made to God that remain unfulfilled? How many times have we set out to accomplish a task but fizzled out before its completion? How many desires are in our heart that at first set our souls ablaze but now, years later, appear to be "pipe" dreams? The Lord knows our hearts. He knows that we have meant every word we have spoken to Him. He knows that when we made promises, we believed we could fulfill them and had every intention of carrying them out. He wants us to know that if we hold on to the promises He will design our journey to bring us to the place where we can see them brought to completion. Peter DID lay down his life, joyfully, for the Lord. And as of this writing I AM living my life and WILL live the rest of my life for Christ.
I know that our team would have made that basket whether I prayed or not. God does not throw ball games. But the fact is, I made a vow to Him from the depths of my heart. From that point forward, He has made it possible for me to fulfill it. That encourages me!
Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus, how You love me! You hear the faintest cry of my heart and move mountains to see that my desires are realized. Sometimes the road to their completion is so hard to travel, but I thank You that I don't have to walk it alone. I love You. Amen.
