The Pursuing Passion of Our Risen LordSample

God Pursuing Us In Our Backsliding

We see Jesus pursuing his disciples in many ways at many times and in many points of their lives. But despite that we see them going back to their old ways. In John 21:1-3, the word of God says, “Afterward, Jesus appeared again to his disciples by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus) and Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So, they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.”

My dear friends, can you see the disciple's name that is mentioned here? Peter says that he is going out to fish but along with him is Thomas and Nathanael. Some of their professions were not fishing yet they all decided to go and try out something new or go with the backslider, Peter, because they were disillusioned. They still didn’t know what the way forward was. They didn't know what God had in store for them. So, they decided to go out and fish, but interestingly we see that they caught nothing. I guess not only because they decided to go back and do some fishing, but when they did it and caught nothing, they came back doubly disillusioned. But as they return, we see Jesus - waiting for them. Waiting for them with even breakfast prepared. He tells them to cast their net on the other side of the boat. When they cast the net, they catch one hundred and fifty-three fishes. My dear friends, here, God was reminding Peter of the first sign he did for him. The miracle Jesus does once more reminds Peter about his call that he probably had forgotten or thought was a finished story.

My dear friends, this is the same God who pursues us. A God who knows our disillusionment. He chooses to do the same miracle he did for Peter when he started his journey with Jesus and that's what Jesus can do even in your disillusionment to prove to you that he is God and he is still interested in you and he can still work with you to accomplish his purposes through your life.

So, we see that we have a God who pursues us in our backsliding. Are you that person who is backsliding? Are you feeling disillusioned about your faith? Come to Him. I want to remind you of this verse from the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3. This is what the Spirit of God says to the church, “Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person and they with me”. He wants to have fellowship with the person who chooses to come back and renew their relationship with Him. If you are that person, know that he wants to have that deep intimate fellowship with you. But are you prepared?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for pursuing me even in my state of disillusionment and backsliding. When I drift away from you, instead of turning away from me, you choose to draw near, inviting me to a closer fellowship with you. Lord, cause me to remain under your wings. In Jesus name, Amen.