“Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him, “before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:75b
We love to think about the good ol days don’t we? Those seemingly perfect times in our past when things aligned to pleasantly scar our memories with overwhelming feelings of bliss, freedom, and joy. And because of that sweetness, at times, we find ourselves slipping back into the past, reminiscing in those blissful bygone days. But for those of you that have a history of living in the light of Jesus Christ, do you have a similar story today? Do you think back to a day when you were overflowing in His Spirit, enjoying a deep daily study of His Word, giving up all of your fears and anxieties to Him in prayer, and readily and eagerly serving Him with the spiritual gifts He bestowed upon you? Do you look around today and wonder where it all went and how you got so far from the Lord, His Word, and His service? Those questions bring up yet another. If you are looking back at the good ol’ days of walking closely with the Lord, can you ever get back there?
For those running in Christian circles, you’ve probably heard the term “backslider.” Backslider (or to slide backwards) refers to someone that at one time was high on a spiritual mountain top, thriving in a close relationship with Jesus but has for whatever reasons, slidden down into a spiritual valley, farther away from the Lord. But did you know that the term backslider is a real Bible word? Yep, found in the Old Testament book of Hosea 11:7, God used it to describe His chosen people, the Israelites, and how time after time they forsake Him and His truth to wander after their own desires and the things of the world that promised to satisfy those desires. But what’s interesting is that even after 2700 years, the term and its intention are still as valid today as it was in the life of Hosea. You see, the Lord and this world are like opposed magnets, you cannot get close to one without getting farther from the other.
I came across a quote from Pastor David Guzik concerning backsliding during my study of Matthew chapter 26. The quote specifically addresses verse 75 when Peter denies Jesus three times during Jesus’ arrest and trial.
“Backsliding is a decline from a spiritual experience once enjoyed. Peter slipped, but he will not fall; his bitter weeping will lead to repentance and restoration.”
Folks notice that backsliding is not and does not have to be permanent. If today you are grievously looking back to the good ol’ days when you were enjoying a mountain top spiritual experience personally abiding and thriving in Christ, what is keeping you from climbing out of that valley and back up that mountain? You see, it would only be a little farther into the story that we see Peter not forsaken by the Lord for his backsliding, but reinstated and called to personally go and care for and feed the sheep of Jesus. Folks, even if you find yourself in a backslidden state today, Jesus openly welcomes you back into a close relationship with Him. But you’ve got to be the one that does the climbing.
If you have slidden backwards in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ, just exactly how do you begin that climb to no longer be looking back to the good ol’ days, but start reliving them today? I’m glad you asked. Focus on these four things. 1) What are you doing with the Word of God, 2) how’s your prayer life, 3) where are the people of God in your life, and 4) how are your hands and feet being mobilized for Christ. First, it all starts with the Word of God. We personally speak to God through prayer but He personally speaks to us through His Word. If you have slidden in your daily Bible study time, get back into a daily habit of sitting with the Word of God and listening to Him speak into your life. Secondly, as far as prayer, are you talking to the Lord and sharing what’s on your heart? A healthy prayer life is not simply one long prayer a day, but a thousand small. Every bit of anxiety, worry, and preoccupation needs to be given to the Lord in prayer in that moment, thereby admitting He is in control, not you. Thirdly, who are you hanging out with all day every day? God intends the Christian life to be lived amongst other believers, speaking of the things of God, and doing the things of God. Find your fold of believers today and let iron sharpen iron. And lastly, if you are investing richly in the first three points above, your hands and feet will be moved into the service of the Lord. As you draw near to Him and hear his sweet whispers to your heart, He will have very certain things for you to do. Maybe it’s to share your testimony with your neighbor across the street or maybe it’s to sell everything you own and live internationally as a missionary.
Friends, don’t live another hour looking back at the good ol’ days of when you felt close to the Lord. Get up, dust yourself off, and like Peter after that rooster’s third crow, start the climb back up to where God is ready to meet you and instruct you in the care of His sheep.
Blessings for your journey ~ Dan
“‘Thus says the Lord of Hosts, “Return to Me, that I may return to you,”’ Zechariah 1:3
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