Peter's Favorite Psalm
“I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:4
Everyone who reads the Bible on a regular basis has their favorite verse of scripture, their go to chapter or book of the Bible that speaks to them, and brings them comfort and peace. If I had to guess which book of the Bible and what chapter and verse was the apostle Peter’s I bet it would be the book of Psalms, chapter 34 and verse 5 where it says, “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.” Peter quotes Psalm 34 three times in 1 Peter 3. As I went back and read Psalm 34 it was easy to see why this particular chapter in the Psalms would mean so much to him.
Peter, like many of us knew failure in his life even as a follower of Jesus. Peter knew first hand what it was like to claim one thing and then do another. Peter understood hypocrisy from experience and he knew what it felt like to let himself down, not to mention the Lord. Peter was all too familiar with fear and how it paralyzes faith if we allow it. Peter knows the downfall of pride and the inability to live up to God’s standards by sheer determination or will power. The bottom line, like many of us, Peter knew shame.
David Guzik in his commentary on 1 and 2 Peter points out some interesting facts about Peter’s life and his relationship with Jesus. He writes,
Peter’s name is mentioned in the gospels more than anyone except the name of Jesus.
No one speaks in the gospels as often as Peter did, and Jesus spoke more to Peter than to any other individual.
• Jesus rebuked Peter more than any other disciple.
• Peter was the only disciple who dared to rebuke Jesus.
• Peter confessed Jesus more boldly and accurately than any other disciple.
• Peter denied Jesus more forcefully and publicly than any other disciple.
• Jesus praised Peter more than any other disciple.
• Jesus addressed Peter as Satan alone among the disciples.
Since Peter is so prominent in the gospel records, it is worthwhile to remind ourselves of some of the important mentions of Peter in the record of Biblical history.
• When Jesus woke up early in the morning to pray before the sun came up, Simon Peter led the other disciples on a hunt to find Jesus and tell Him what He should do (Mark 1:35-39).
• Peter put his nets out at the direction of Jesus to bring in a massive catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11).
• Peter went on a unique outreach trip with the other disciples (Matthew 10:1-42).
• Peter stepped out of the boat during a raging storm and walked on the water with Jesus (Matthew 14:24-33).
• Peter was the one who said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and to know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:68-69).
• Peter saw Jesus transfigured in glory, together with Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:1-9).
• Peter was the one who asked Jesus how many times we should forgive a brother that sins against us, quoting the high number of “seven times” (Matthew 18:21-35).
• Peter was the one who asked Jesus, after the encounter with the rich young ruler, what the disciples would receive for giving everything up to follow Jesus (Matthew 19:27-30).
• Peter was the one who insisted that Jesus would not wash his feet; then he commanded Jesus to wash his whole body! (John 13:16-20).
• Peter heard Jesus predict that he would deny Him three times (Matthew 26:30-35), and Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with you I will not deny You!” (Matthew 26:35), and the rest of the disciples agreed. • Peter was the one who cut off the right ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest, when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus (John 18:1-11).
• Peter denied Jesus three times, cursing and swearing that he did not even know “the Man,” refusing to even name the name of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75).
• Peter was the one who ran with John the disciple to the tomb on the morning of the resurrection, after hearing the report of the women that the body of Jesus was not in its tomb (John 20:1-10).
• Peter was the one who received a personal visit from the resurrected Jesus on the day of the resurrection (Luke 24:34).
• Peter received a public restoration of Jesus in front of the other disciples after the resurrection of Jesus (John 21).
In Psalm 34:5 it says again, “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed” I believe Peter had John 21 in mind as for every time Peter had denied the Lord, the Lord publicly restored Peter back to faith. Just like for Peter the Bible teaches that Jesus bore your shame and mine, Jesus took our guilt and replaced it with forgiveness so that we could look upon Him and be radiant knowing we are loved, accepted and forgiven, just like Peter came to know.
“Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.”
PSALM 34:3
I LOVE YOU!
Psalm 34:4
Everyone who reads the Bible on a regular basis has their favorite verse of scripture, their go to chapter or book of the Bible that speaks to them, and brings them comfort and peace. If I had to guess which book of the Bible and what chapter and verse was the apostle Peter’s I bet it would be the book of Psalms, chapter 34 and verse 5 where it says, “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.” Peter quotes Psalm 34 three times in 1 Peter 3. As I went back and read Psalm 34 it was easy to see why this particular chapter in the Psalms would mean so much to him.
Peter, like many of us knew failure in his life even as a follower of Jesus. Peter knew first hand what it was like to claim one thing and then do another. Peter understood hypocrisy from experience and he knew what it felt like to let himself down, not to mention the Lord. Peter was all too familiar with fear and how it paralyzes faith if we allow it. Peter knows the downfall of pride and the inability to live up to God’s standards by sheer determination or will power. The bottom line, like many of us, Peter knew shame.
David Guzik in his commentary on 1 and 2 Peter points out some interesting facts about Peter’s life and his relationship with Jesus. He writes,
Peter’s name is mentioned in the gospels more than anyone except the name of Jesus.
No one speaks in the gospels as often as Peter did, and Jesus spoke more to Peter than to any other individual.
• Jesus rebuked Peter more than any other disciple.
• Peter was the only disciple who dared to rebuke Jesus.
• Peter confessed Jesus more boldly and accurately than any other disciple.
• Peter denied Jesus more forcefully and publicly than any other disciple.
• Jesus praised Peter more than any other disciple.
• Jesus addressed Peter as Satan alone among the disciples.
Since Peter is so prominent in the gospel records, it is worthwhile to remind ourselves of some of the important mentions of Peter in the record of Biblical history.
• When Jesus woke up early in the morning to pray before the sun came up, Simon Peter led the other disciples on a hunt to find Jesus and tell Him what He should do (Mark 1:35-39).
• Peter put his nets out at the direction of Jesus to bring in a massive catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11).
• Peter went on a unique outreach trip with the other disciples (Matthew 10:1-42).
• Peter stepped out of the boat during a raging storm and walked on the water with Jesus (Matthew 14:24-33).
• Peter was the one who said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and to know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:68-69).
• Peter saw Jesus transfigured in glory, together with Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:1-9).
• Peter was the one who asked Jesus how many times we should forgive a brother that sins against us, quoting the high number of “seven times” (Matthew 18:21-35).
• Peter was the one who asked Jesus, after the encounter with the rich young ruler, what the disciples would receive for giving everything up to follow Jesus (Matthew 19:27-30).
• Peter was the one who insisted that Jesus would not wash his feet; then he commanded Jesus to wash his whole body! (John 13:16-20).
• Peter heard Jesus predict that he would deny Him three times (Matthew 26:30-35), and Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with you I will not deny You!” (Matthew 26:35), and the rest of the disciples agreed. • Peter was the one who cut off the right ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest, when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus (John 18:1-11).
• Peter denied Jesus three times, cursing and swearing that he did not even know “the Man,” refusing to even name the name of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75).
• Peter was the one who ran with John the disciple to the tomb on the morning of the resurrection, after hearing the report of the women that the body of Jesus was not in its tomb (John 20:1-10).
• Peter was the one who received a personal visit from the resurrected Jesus on the day of the resurrection (Luke 24:34).
• Peter received a public restoration of Jesus in front of the other disciples after the resurrection of Jesus (John 21).
In Psalm 34:5 it says again, “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed” I believe Peter had John 21 in mind as for every time Peter had denied the Lord, the Lord publicly restored Peter back to faith. Just like for Peter the Bible teaches that Jesus bore your shame and mine, Jesus took our guilt and replaced it with forgiveness so that we could look upon Him and be radiant knowing we are loved, accepted and forgiven, just like Peter came to know.
“Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.”
PSALM 34:3
I LOVE YOU!
Recent
Archive
2021
January
Test PositiveHow Not To ForgetYour Best Year EverRelationship Over RulesKeep The Main Thing The Main ThingBonding FiresTake Me To ChurchWeight Gain Is GoodNot Seeing Is Believing Everything You Need To KnowLove Wins!Servants Not Slaves8 P's and 7 B'sWhat The World Needs NowThe World Is Falling... Into Place10 Minutes That Change The WorldHow To Kill A ButterflyWhat's The Score?You Can Know For SureWe Need A Good Wind StormThe Little Things
February
The Power of KindnessThe Cure For WorryThe Truth; The Whole Truth; And Nothing But The TruthGod UnderstandsDefining MomentsBetter Than NewLittle's Make Big'sOne Hour Could Change Your WorldInstructions With PicturesGrow Through ItFire and IceA Sweet Sweet SoundThe Way Up Is DownThe Gift of YouThe Cure For DepressionA Flower In Life's SidewalkLets Be FriendsOur Secret WeaponLove Win'sAll Gave Some, Some Gave All
March
Presence of MindFULLY ALIVEA Balanced LifeThink AgainHope In The DarkDon't Fill The CracksExchange Your 'Why' For 'What'Fear is FuelUse The KeyUse Your Smile To Change The World. Don't Let The World Change Your SmileOut With The OldCrossing PathsYou Have Your Father's EyesBecoming OneHidden In Plain SightDon't Blend InLocking ArmsWisdom verses KnowledgeThe War WithinThe Helpers HighEaster Changes Everything!
2020
January
February
March
Why We Can Be FriendsBe What You Want Other's To BeThere Is A Song In Your HeartThe Afterward of FailureWhy God WhispersDon''t Worry, Be Happy!I Can See Clearly NowI'm In It For The Long HaulTrade In Your Fears For PeaceDaddy Hold YouThe EndA Guy Can't Just Sit AroundThe Birthday Boy!Worry Never WorksPromises PromisesTwenty Inches From BlissFit From HomeThe Silver Lining of SufferingThe Gift of PainDo Not Be Afraid
April
Two Tickets To ParadiseI'll Trade YouNo Substitute For TrustOur Greatest NeedHope DispensersYour Finest HourDreams Do Come True!How To Survive A PandemicFeeling ChippieThe Good In Good Friday!The Dark Before The DawnHow Stars Are BornOne A Day, And Leap Year Too!Please, Breathe On MeYou Can't Afford To WorryChristmas In AprilAre You Jesus?Comfort FoodSocial DistancingNew NormalThe Beauty of SelflessnessThrive Not SurviveDon't Ask Why Ask WhatEmpty Is GoodI Miss Your FaceGet Out Of Jail Free
May
Marriage IS WorkYou Are EssentialThe DestinationCourage Looks Like LoveLive The AmenRelentlessYou're Never AloneOpen For BusinessYour're ContagiousGod's Got Big EarsHigher EducationA Season, A Reason, A LifetimeTo Grope Is DopeYou PickWomen Like GodMaking A DifferenceOne Way LoveBlessed To BlessPeople God Uses
June
How To Defeat RacismDon't Be An AnimalJesus IS The AnswerBefore Not AfterDreams Do Come True!ImagineTell It Like It Can BePeace MakersHold OnThe Name Above ALL NamesThe Real You!Don\'t Lose Your PassionA Tale of Four Father\'sJust Do It For Jesus!IfIn or Out?Stay FocusedPriorities MatterGod's Green Thumb
July
August
Whistle While You WorkDon't Worry, Be Happy!Holy Moly, Just Look At You!You Can Do Hard ThingsJoy Is On The Way!Why Not Me?What's Your Backstory?ForgivenessJesus Is Our RainbowJesus In, Jesus OutThe 7 Factors of FriendshipBecause of YouLord, Teach Me To PrayHopeless End or Endless Hope?The Stress RelieverDefining MomentsA Supernaturally Scheduled DayWho's In Your Boat?
September
Hang In There 5 Minutes More!You Can Do It!What You See is What You GetMountains Were Made To ClimbLet Go, Let GodThe Third OptionWhat Will You Be?Better Than New!You Are A Best Seller!Heaven On EarthPray, Don't PreyTo love Is To ObeyIf I Could Live My Life Over AgainLet It Shine!Need A Hug?A Beautiful MessRun Through The TapeCause and EffectLife Is The PitsJust Say Yes
October
How To Have A RevivalLord, Teach Us To PrayBroken and BeautifulWhy God WhispersDig DeepThings Are Not As They AppearChildlike FaithGreat JobWhat On Earth Am I Here ForSafe In God's HandYou Be JesusYou Never Have To Advertise A FireRetraining ElephantsMission PossibleGo Nuts Today!Don't Hide The CracksOne Step AheadWho's Your Caddy?THINKPeter's Favorite PsalmFound Together
November
Success Through FailureNo FearAgainst All OddsGod Works For You But Not For YouThe Worship of TearsThank God For FleasHow To Thank A VeteranSoar Like An EagleOne Out Of TenHow To Get Through A StormCling OnKeep SwingingChoose Winning!The BlessingLessons From My Washing MachineHow To Put Happy Into Your ThanksgivingWe Exist To AppreciateThe Gift That Keeps On Giving
December
Peace On EarthHope In The DarkLessons From Long LinesHe's Making A List And Checking It TwiceKeep Rolling!You Have A ReservationWhen Heaven Met EarthThe Great Gift ExchangeA Thrill of HopeThe Real DealThe Perfect GiftFace Your FearsWinning Over WorryStability From A StableThe "awe" of HeavenJoy That LastsMessage From The MangerChristmas In Three WordsLook Up Not ForwardJust Because
2019
February
Heavenly RemindersThings Are Not Always As They AppearZihuatanejoSatisfied Wanting MoreGet In The Game!Always The Nails, Never The HammerA Four Footed EnemyAll InWhat's Love Got To Do With It?Lessons From A LeperLessons From A Former LeperNo MatchYour Mess Is Your MessageLessons From Your GPS"Ooooo ooooo ohoohohoo"Jesus MarveledShe Walks In BeautyShaken or Stirred?Bring The Rain
March
I Can't Love You AnymoreThe Gift of AttentivenessWha't Outside Your Tent?I'll Carry YouIt’s Worth The PainWorship On The BrainA Door of HopeGet Busy LivingHow Knowledge Becomes Power Please Do Not DisturbNew Normal5 Minutes LongerOur Conquering KingA Matter of PerspectiveAge Old WisdomFaith Your FearsThe Best Day Of Your Life… Starts Now!Who Grace Looks LikeHow To Have Lifetime JoyTo Know You Is To Love YouMistaken Identity
April
Life After The End Of The RopeLet's Get RealWhy God Made MountainsForgive And ForgetLoving You Is EasySweetly Broken Keep The Main Thing The Main ThingKnow God Know PeaceWisdom Never Gets OldOut of the WhirlwindMonday: A Pure and Holy PassionTuesday: The Passion Of JesusThe Passion Week: WednesdayJesus Love From Head To ToeFriday: The Passion JesusThe Ta-da of HeavenWhat's The World Coming To?A Love InvasionThe Gift of YouI'm With You AlwaysHow Is Your Balance?Bring The Rain
May
In Regards To HeavenHope WinsIshteeLove Is A VerbFinishing WellYour New Favorite BookGod Has No GrandchildrenCrossing GuardsYou Were Made For MomentsLiving Like A Rock StarA Wonder Filled DayLess is MoreAll Washed UpIf Your Child Goes Astray... Pray!Like Parent Like ChildBring Back The KingWith God You ARE The MajorityJesus IS EnoughWe Will RememberYou Are Stronger Than You ThinkEscape ArtistsYou Can't Back Into Your FutureThe Worship of Tears
June
For HankGod's 'GPS'A Friend Like YouDesire Discipline DelightDesire, Discipline, DelightYou Be JesusYour WorthA Living Love StoryThe Gift of GraceThe Power of AmenA Dad For All SesonsStuck On YouJust OneI Hope You DanceIt's Your Turn To ShineGlorious Day!Ancient Social MediaA Door of HopeLiving Like JesusPlease, Don't Shoot The Messenger!
July
Flawed Instruments Glorify GodHelp Is On The WayMay You Always Remain As You Are TodayOne Nation Under GodDivine AppointmentsDon't Trip Over Your PastWho's Counting?ShineLove Is A VerbBig Shoes To FillYou Never Have To Advertise A FireLet The Walls Fall DownOne Small Step, One Giant LeapOur God Rocks!Stirred To ActionThe Power of LoveTo Know Him Is To Love HimJesus Loves Pizza
August
September
October
Broken and BeautifulIn The Hands of The PotterRecognitionExtraordinarily OrdinaryBonded By A BonfireColor EverywhereWords To Live ByThe Best of MeJust Say YesChoose HappyThe Best Weekend Ever!Three Yet OneJust KISSGame ChangerHow To Beat An Escape RoomIt's What's Inside That CountsWhen Longer Isn't Long EnoughThe Whisperer
November
The Healing Power of a HugA Work In ProgressThe Best Day of Your Life Starts... NowYou Have Beautiful EyesLord, Teach Me To PrayFive Star FaithDebt Free LivingWhen Close Isn't Close EnoughHave I Got Something Just For You!Perfect In Any LightYour Strength Is Your WeaknessIt's Only A TestYou're Living An Adventure
Slow The PaceThe Art of AppreciationLasting MemoriesBlack Friday Saved My Life
Categories
no categories