Wed., 11/21/18 Devotion (Lk. 5:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 5:8, where we read these words:

"When Simon Peter saw it [the miraculous catch of fish], he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!' "

Here is an irony: Peter knows himself to be a sinner, so he implores his Re-deemer to "depart from [him]." Thankfully, Christ did *not* do as Peter sug-gested. If our Savior "departed" from us every time we sinned, we would never have Him near us, ever.

True humility—which Peter was to learn more fully later—is not demonstrated in seeking Christ's "departure" because of the commission of sins. Rather, it is begging His abiding with us, despite them. Peter does do three things very well here (in this verse): he worships Christ, he confesses his sinfulness, and he calls Jesus "Lord."

[Puritan quote of the day: "There are no sins God's people are more subject to than unbelief and impatience.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]