Prone to Wander

Meditations for Ragamuffins

April 9, 2024

Prone to Wander

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

1 Peter 2:21 

Peter was quite serious when he wrote those words. He was also quite mindful that when he called out to Jesus during a storm and Jesus bid him to come, Peter stepped out onto the water and quickly sank like a stone. (Matthew 14:22-33) Even so, just a short while later, Jesus announced that faith, like that which was at work in Peter, was the rock on which he would build his church. Peter was also quite mindful that after boasting that he would fight for Jesus even unto his death, just a few hours later he denied knowing Jesus. Even so, Jesus reaffirmed his faith in Peter and told him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21)

Our reality is just as the hymn writer put it: Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; (Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing Robert Robinson). We know we are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and we want to, but sometimes our steps falter. Sometimes our faith weakens, and we sink like a stone; sometimes we give into temptation and deny our calling. There are two passages of scripture I turn to when I’ve been prone to wander.

First, “if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).

The second is, “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out” (Matthew 12:20).

My Takeaway: When Peter sank, Jesus helped him back into the boat. When Peter denied him, Jesus forgave him and commissioned him to follow in his footsteps. So also, with us.

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2024 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.