July 30, Morning

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"And when he thought thereon, he wept." — Mark 14:72 · KJV

Some have thought that as long as Peter lived, his tears began to flow whenever he remembered denying his Lord. It is likely, for his sin was great, and grace afterward did a perfect work in him. This experience is common to all the redeemed, in the degree that the Spirit of God has removed the heart of stone. Like Peter, we remember our boastful promise, "Though all men shall forsake Thee, yet will not I," and we eat our own words with the bitter herbs of repentance. When we think of what we vowed we would be, and of what we have been, we may weep whole showers of grief. Peter thought on his denial — the place, the small cause that led him into so heinous a sin, the oaths with which he sought to confirm his falsehood, and the hardness of heart that drove him to it again and again. When we are reminded of our sins and their exceeding sinfulness, can we remain stubborn and dry-eyed? May we never take a tearless look at sin, lest before long we have a tongue parched in the flames of hell. Peter thought, too, upon his Master's look of love: the Lord followed the cock's warning with a glance of sorrow, pity, and love that was never out of Peter's mind while he lived, and did more than ten thousand sermons could have done without the Spirit. The penitent apostle was sure to weep when he recalled the Savior's full forgiveness, which restored him to his place. To think that we have offended so kind and good a Lord is reason enough to be constant weepers. Lord, smite our rocky hearts, and make the waters flow.