If I am proud in my spirit, thus losing the place of humility before God, and some lust breaks out, God may use this particular failure to get at and chasten me for this root of pride or self-will which seemed to have no connection with the particular lust that showed itself. So it was with Peter; he had confidence in himself, and this led to his fall. The Lord in His grace had provided for it beforehand; He looks upon Peter, and it breaks his heart. After this, He does not say a word publicly about the particular failure, but He does deal with Peter in the closest way to bring out this confidence in Himself. “Simon, son of Jonas,” He says, “lovest thou Me more than these?” A second and a third time He says, “Lovest thou Me?” At last Peter had to take refuge in the Lord’s omniscience. He who knew all things could see the love which was in Peter’s heart, even if no one else could.
The soul that knows and owns its wretchedness and makes no pretension to any claim, yet brings its misery before a God of goodness, is a soul that Jesus can never refuse to comfort. He may be repelled by the claims of a false and pretended righteousness, but He cannot hide Himself from the misery that seeks His aid and has no plea nor appeal except for mercy, for mercy dwells in the heart of God, and Jesus is both the expression of that mercy and the channel through which it flows.
It is good to notice Paul’s rare and beautiful humility! (1) As a sinner, he calls himself the chief. (2) Among saints, he is as less than the least. (3) As an apostle, he is not worthy of the name.
Sound Words, 1873 (adapted)