Luke 22:31-32
“Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
What an incredible picture of Satan and Jesus petitioning the Father for the same man. One with malicious intent to destroy him, the other standing as his Intercessor. The request to sift Peter as wheat is unparalleled in the New Testament—his adversary asked to shred him, literally!
Satan was laser-focused on Peter, but the original Greek wording makes it clear that his intentions extend to all believers. Yet, as treacherous and devious as the devil is, Jesus’ revelation exposes the limitations of our enemy’s power.
Satan has to ask.
Jesus knew Peter’s weakness would be publicly exposed, and He was there interceding on his behalf. Jesus never intended the weight of condemnation to hold Peter back, and the same is true when you falter.
Don’t allow your sins and failures to take hold of your thoughts and render you ineffective for the kingdom. Get up, retrace your steps back to your first love, and return with renewed purpose.
Jesus’ exhortation to His disciple was, “Peter, after you have learned what you need to learn for both you and your fellow believers, use it to encourage them.” Believer, whenever you go through the deep waters of fiery trials, your understanding of God’s goodness and mercy moves beyond head knowledge into real-life experience, and He wants you to know it.
When your time of testing comes upon you, be sure to use it for God’s glory as He seeks to establish your foundation in Him.
Live it out for the world to see so that they too will desire to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Awaiting His return,
– Pastor Jack
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