"God is Faithful"

"The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged." (Psalms 37:33) There are several things that God has put upon my heart regarding what Peter had to go through, but the one that stands out the most, is something that Jesus said when He gave Simon the name Peter, in Matthew 16:18. We know that there is a difference between "Big Rock" and "little rock", I have heard that taught maybe several hundred times; but there is something significant about that "little rock" when it comes to Jesus saying, "upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it", which is the whole concept of God's protection, restoration, and justification that was demonstrated in Peter's life. Basically, the whole concept of our being saved by grace was played out in Peter's betrayal; how anyone can fall, be restored, and then go on to be a great servant of God, is not just a part of the church, but it is the foundation of what God's grace is all about; and the devil is totally jealous of it, yet he is also totally powerless when it comes to stopping it from happening; that is unless we give him the power to do so. I also find it interesting how Jesus called Peter "Simon" when He asked him, "Do you love Me?"; not that it was a put down, but sometimes we really need to be reminded of the work that God does in us, because it is not about what we do, but what He does; just as Jesus called Simon "Peter", so to, God changes us in such a way; from condemnation, to justification, within seconds; from a train wreck of a life, to restoration, in no time at all; God takes us from being destroyed, to being glorified in His Son, just as fast as you can snap your fingers; and oddly enough, it all comes down to us being "converted", which is what Jesus said would happen to Peter. If you notice, He did not say "if you are", but He said, "when you are"; when the Lord calls us and we respond, we are His forever... "All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:37-40)