Saturday January 3, 2026, DEVOTIONAL

— The Rest of Me Will Be the Best of Me Scripture Reading: John 21:15–19 • Haggai 2:3–7

Devotional  God requires resilience from His people — not perfection, but the courage to bounce back. Life may bring disappointment, heartbreak, and seasons that leave us discouraged, but as children of God we refuse to let our condition become our conclusion. God calls us to rise, rebuild, and move forward in faith.

Just as Israel returned to a broken temple in Haggai’s day — Peter returned to a broken sense of identity. Both needed the same thing: a righteous perspective and a renewed commitment.

God speaks into unfinished places and reminds us:

·       You are still here on purpose.

·       You survived what was meant to destroy you.

·       Your story isn’t over — it’s entering a new chapter.

Peter failed — but Jesus didn’t cancel him. Instead, Jesus restored him, reassigned him, and reaffirmed his calling: “Follow Me.” God does the same for us. He does not meet us to rehearse our mistakes, but to remind us of who we still are in Him.

Sometimes God even allows shaking — not to break us, but to remove what cannot remain. The shaking clears space for His glory… and what survives is what is meant to carry you forward.

What happened in your past was not the end — it was preparation. With God’s help:

The rest of your life really can become the best of your life.

Reflection Questions

·       Where have I allowed failure to define my identity instead of God’s grace?

·       What area of my life is God calling me to rebuild instead of abandon?

·       How is God using shaking or discomfort to reposition me for purpose?

·        

Prayer Lord, thank You that my failure is not final. Heal the places wounded by regret, strengthen what remains, and restore my courage to follow You forward. Give me a righteous perspective, a productive response, and faith to believe that what lies ahead is greater than what lies behind. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

My Saturday Affirmation

I am not finished — God is still working in me.

What survives the shaking will carry His glory.

The rest of me will be the best of me.