I Need HopeSample

**Notice: This content includes sensitive themes that some readers may find difficult: [adultery, addiction, abuse]. Please take care as you read.

Day 3 – "I’m a Christian, I Should’ve Known Better… Is There Hope for Me?"

Rex was a pastor—and he fell hard. His failure didn’t just impact his ministry; it deeply affected his family and every part of his life.

Rex was a believer, someone who knew the Bible—yet he still fell. But something extraordinary happened. One day, while sitting in his truck, Jesus showed up. The first words out of Rex’s mouth were, “What are You doing here?”

Isn’t that just like our Savior? When we find ourselves caught in sin—especially as believers—we expect Jesus to stay far away because we feel unworthy. We knew better. We’ve walked with Him. And yet—He still comes to find us.

We ask, “What are You doing here?” And in His loving, gentle kindness, He asks us the same: “What are you doing here? This isn’t where you belong—in isolation, in fear, in the filth of your sin. Come back to Me, and I will restore you.”

This reminds me of Peter’s story.

Peter walked face-to-face with Jesus. And when Jesus asked Peter who he said He was, "Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God'" (Matthew 16:16 ESV). Peter was then called “The Rock” by Jesus Himself: "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18 ESV).

And yet, the same Peter who boldly declared Jesus as the Son of God denied Him.

Not once. Not twice. Three times.

And when Peter heard the rooster crow, just as Jesus had predicted, he remembered his own words: Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33 ESV). The Bible says Peter “wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62 ESV), broken, ashamed, and devastated. He had failed, and he knew it.

But here’s the beauty: Jesus still went to the cross. He still shed His blood.

For Peter.

For the Rock.

For the denier.

For the future preacher of Pentecost.

After Jesus was resurrected, He went to Peter. Peter had returned to what he knew, fishing, full of shame and not expecting Jesus to meet him there. But Jesus did show up. And what He did next was beautiful. He called to Peter the same way He had when they first met.

Back in the beginning, Peter had fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus appeared and told him to cast his net in the water. He did, and the net was so full of fish he had to call for help.

Now, again, Peter was out on the water with empty nets and a heavy heart. And again, Jesus called from the shore: "He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some'" (John 21:6 ESV).

This was familiar. Peter obeyed. And when the net filled, he knew. It was the Lord. He put his coat back on, jumped into the water, and swam to Jesus.

Can you imagine what was going through his mind?

Will He forgive me? I wouldn’t forgive myself…He must be so angry. I told Him I wouldn’t deny Him, and I did. Three times. What can I possibly say? What will He say?

Thankfully, John tells us exactly what happened. When Peter reached the shore, Jesus had breakfast prepared for him and the others. No anger. No lectures. Just grace.

Jesus’ grace went as deep as Peter’s sin. Peter denied Jesus three times. And three times, Jesus asked, “Do you love Me?” Each time Peter replied, “Lord, You know I love You.” And Jesus responded—not with shame, but with purpose: “Then feed My lambs. Tend My sheep. Feed My sheep” (John 21:15-17).

Jesus didn’t just forgive Peter, He restored him. He reestablished his identity and sent him forward in his calling.

Just like He restored Peter—and Rex—He can restore you.

If you’re carrying guilt because you “should’ve known better,” know this: There is still hope for you. Jesus doesn’t just stop at forgiveness. He offers restoration, healing, and purpose.

Where sin runs deep, grace runs deeper. And that grace will put you back on your feet so you can take the hope you’ve found and share it with others.

Practical Steps:

1. Admit your need for Jesus.
Jesus, I need You. I can’t do this without You.

2. Find a trusted Christian friend.
Lord, lead me to someone who will pray with me and walk beside me in faith.

3. Choose forgiveness.
Father, help me release this hurt into Your hands, again and again, until my heart is free.

4. Forgive yourself.
God, thank You that Your mercy is for me, too. Teach me to see myself through Your grace.