Why bring up the mistakes of great men in the Bible who clearly loved God? To demonstrate God is not temperamental and does not abandon His children when they fail. When we belong to God, He sees beyond our weaknesses and failures and is faithful.
“The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death.” (Psalms 118:18, New King James Version) There are consequences for disobedience, although God’s grace and mercy brings forgiveness and restoration through the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ on the cross. “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love. He will not contend forever, or nurse His anger for all time.” (Psalms 103:8-9, Tanakh)
There is one last example of a major failure that resulted in forgiveness and restoration: Peter.
Peter was one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus, and Jesus himself declared; “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18, King James Version)
Peter seemed to be living up to the resounding endorsement when the soldiers came to collect Jesus after being betrayed by Judas Iscariot in the Garden of Gethsemane. “Then Shim’on Kefa [Simon Peter], who had a sword, drew it and struck the slave of the cohen hagadol [high priest], cutting off his right ear…” (John 18:10, Complete Jewish Bible)
For all his bravado, Peter was human, and as predicted by Christ himself, denied knowing Jesus once He was taken away. “After singing the Hallel, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Yeshua then said to them, “Tonight you will all lose faith in me, as the Tanakh says, ‘I will strike the shepherd dead, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you into the Galil.” “I will never lose faith in you,” Kefa answered, “even if everyone else does.” Yeshua said to him, “Yes! I tell you that tonight before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” “Even if I must die with you,” Kefa replied, “I will never disown you!”…” (Matthew 26:30-35, Complete Jewish Bible) Peter followed Christ from a distance, and at one point was outside the courtyard.
“Kefa [Peter] was sitting outside in the courtyard when a servant girl came up to him. “You too were with Yeshua from the Galil,” she said. But he denied it in front of everyone — “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” He went out onto the porch, and another girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Yeshua of Natzeret.” Again he denied it, swearing, “I don’t know the man!” After a little while, the bystanders approached Kefa and said, “You must be one of them — your accent gives you away.” This time he began to invoke a curse on himself as he swore, “I do not know the man!” — and immediately a rooster crowed. Kefa remembered what Yeshua had said, “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times”; and he went outside and cried bitterly.” (Matthew 26:69-75, Complete Jewish Bible)
Unlike Judas Iscariot, who killed himself after betraying Christ, Peter “cried bitterly”; remorseful and ashamed of his actions. But God, through Christ, in his infinite grace and mercy restored Peter. Following his resurrection, when Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James and Salome, went to the tomb with spices, an angel was there and spoke to the women; “Don’t be so surprised! You’re looking for Yeshua from Natzeret, who was executed on the stake. He has risen, he’s not here! Look at the place where they laid him. But go and tell his talmidim [disciples], especially Kefa, that he is going to the Galil ahead of you. You will see him there, just as he told you.” (Mark 16:6-7, Complete Jewish Bible)
I believe Jesus knew Peter would need an extra bit of encouragement, and later Jesus commanded Peter to feed his sheep and follow Him (John 21:15-19). Peter, for his part, accepted forgiveness and was also able to forgive himself. He could have lived his life in quiet shame, but instead went on to heal the sick and boldly proclaim the Good News of Yeshua, the risen Messiah.
Joshua, David, Hezekiah and Peter demonstrate the absolute love and compassion God has for imperfect human beings. His Son, Yeshua the Messiah, offered up his sinless life for our sin, taking with Him the guilt and shame that accompanies failure so that we can enjoy a relationship with God through Yeshua. It’s not necessary to carry the burden of self-loathing and shame. He wants so much more for you.