December 8, 2017
““Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.””
Luke 22:31-32
How, in the thirty-something years that I have studied the Bible, how did I not realize these words were there? I don’t claim to know the Bible like I should but these words come right before Jesus tells Peter that he will deny Him and I don’t recall ever seeing them. Satan asked to come after him.
Satan gained permission. It is just like what happened to Job, whose story has been our “go-to” these past few months. Satan asked to try and turn people away from God. And God granted his request.
God knows. He knows what we will do and He knows the strength and power He gives us. The most comforting thing in this scripture – Jesus prayed that his faith would sustain him and that he would then help those around him stay strong. He put Peter through the wringer to make him stronger and to help others stay strong.
Wow! I needed to read that this morning. God knows us and He knows the strength and power He has given us. We may fail when Satan tries to sift us but we will be delivered because our Savior prays for us.
Fighting Fire with Light 