Good Morning Friends,
Today we consider the Lord’s Prayer and Jesus’ question to Peter: “Do you love me?” Both passages expose the tension between our temptations and God’s will. Scripture is clear—God does not tempt us (James 1:13)—yet Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (Luke 4:1–2). The issue is not where evil comes from, but whether we trust God’s sovereignty when we face trials. We are quite capable of sinning on our own, What we are not capable of is loving God well without His help. In today’s readings, Paul stands before Roman authorities (Acts 25:13–21) and Peter stands before the risen Christ (John 21:15–19). Both are “on trial,” both are being drawn beyond who they have been toward who God is making them. And in both stories, God is quietly at work—guiding outcomes, shaping hearts, and revealing what real love looks like. So, the question comes to us: What or better, who do we love?
Scripture Summaries
Acts 25:13–21 Paul is brought before King Agrippa. The charges against him are not political crimes but disagreements about “a certain Jesus… whom Paul asserted to be alive.” Unsure how to judge such matters, Festus sends Paul to Caesar. Paul’s trial becomes a stage for God’s purposes.
John 21:15–19 After breakfast on the beach, Jesus restores Peter by asking three times, “Do you love me?” Each affirmation is met with a commission: Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Jesus reveals that Peter’s future will be costly, yet glorifying to God. Restoration leads to calling.
Matthew 6:13 (and The Message paraphrase) Jesus teaches us to pray not for a life free of difficulty but for deliverance from evil. Prayer is not technique—it is trust in a Father who knows what we need.
Message: The love of Jesus turns our failures into future faithfulness. And our love for Jesus, imperfect as it is, makes our testimony believable when trials come.Paul and Peter show us that we are not in control of most things. Paul is carried toward Rome; Peter is carried toward a cross-shaped future. Yet in both lives, God’s sovereignty and love are unmistakable. God uses even the pressures of Satan and the weakness of our flesh to form us into people who can love Him and others well.Peter’s story is especially revealing. He had denied Jesus and could not forgive himself. But Jesus never disowns His sheep. He calls Peter by name, restores him, and sends him out. The Shepherd’s voice turns shame into purpose.So it is with us. When we say we love Jesus, our lives must echo our words. People must see the love of Christ in us—patience, kindness, truthfulness, perseverance. Our life will test this love, yet God’s love will find a way. You see, love is not proven by sentiment but proven by time, obedience, and presence.
And So, we must remember: God is sovereign, and we are not. Temptations come, but God provides a way out. God can redeem even our failures for holy purpose. Our actions reveal what we truly love. Love never fails because God never fails. Each day we answer Jesus’ question again: Do you love me? Every “yes” draws us deeper into His purpose. Every “yes” spills over into the lives of others. Time is love. And God gives us enough time to do what He calls us to do.
Pray we show love even when we don’t fully understand it. Pray we trust that Jesus never gives up on His sheep. Pray that we lead others with a heart shaped by His. Pray we stay focused on God’s call, not our fears. Pray that our lives speak more loudly than our words. Pray we believe in God’s sovereignty and grace. Pray we grow in a love for God that is believable. Pray we become people of His presence.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 