Section 4
would follow Him even unto death. Thus, the Lord tested Peter twice, and Peter failed both tests.
How did the Lord deal with Peter's natural strength? By temporarily taking His hand off him. In 10:28, the Lord said that no one is able to snatch the believers out of His hand. When Peter betrayed the Lord, denying Him to His face three times, it meant that the Lord had taken His hand off him for a while. The Lord seemed to be saying, "Peter, you have too much confidence in yourself. You don't know that your standing depends upon My holding you in My hand. If I don't hold you, you cannot stand. Let Me take My hand away for a while and see if you are able to stand." Then the Lord stood back a little, and Peter fell. Do not think that you have the power to stand. No, an unseen hand upholds us all the time. I appreciate the fact that throughout the years, and even now, many saints have been praying for me. In my fel lowship with the Lord in the spirit, I have the deep sense and appreciation that so many dear ones are praying for me. By myself, I cannot stand. By myself, I cannot minister. I know the source of the power of ministry. And I know that the source of the strength to stand is not in me—it is in Him. We all need to realize this. Because Peter was so strong, having too much confidence in himself,