Luke 22 verses 61,62. “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the cock crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

They now took Jesus away to face his first interrogation in the house of the High Priest. By now all the disciples had fled and abandoned Christ, but Peter to his eternal credit, had at least followed him.

Peter had not understood the nature of the battle. A fisherman’s brawl he would have understood. To flash a sword in an emergency he would also have understood. But the nature of this battle was beyond him for it was the battle between the Truth and a lie, the fight was between light and darkness. Something more than a sword was needed here. There was a spiritual strength needed, which Peter as yet did not have.

It is also so with us. We often are not aware that the difficulties we face are sometimes spiritual struggles which need more than simple understanding or even psychological strength. We need an inner strength which only the Holy Spirit can impart.

So Peter finally finds himself denying Christ three times. The last time was Peter’s final opportunity to stand by the truth, but he failed and at that moment seemed to have cut off all connection between himself and Christ. Somewhere in the darkness a cock crowed, and the Lord turned and looked at Peter and Peter remembered the Lord’s words (verse 61). He fled into the night overcome by conscience and he wept bitterly.

There is always hope for a person whose conscience is still alive because we know that Peter would finally repent and be restored and then strengthen his brothers. Jesus had prayed for Peter (chapter 22 verses 31 & 32) that his faith did not fail. Peter’s faith buckled and collapsed for a moment, but it did not fail permanently. The prayers of Jesus upheld him – just as they uphold you. And as surely as they were answered in Peter’s case, in spite of a temporary collapse, so they will be answered for you.

We are all in the hands of our great Shepherd. It is the greatest and safest place to be, no matter how fierce the storms may rage.