Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. (Luke 22:31–32)
Satan wants to separate you from Jesus. (To sift means to separate.) Since Jesus will never let you go (John 10:28), the only way Satan can make this happen is to cause you to run from the Lover of your soul.
This is what Peter and the disciples did: they ran. When the pressure came, they abandoned the Lord (Matt 26:56).
“But I have prayed for you,” said Jesus. And thank God he did, because those who ran were not lost. What Satan meant for evil, God turned around for good.
This is what God does – he redeems our failures and turns defeat into victory so that we might experience his love and grace.
“That your faith may not fail.” Many things failed that night: The disciples’ strength failed, their courage failed, and their resolve failed. But their faith endured because Jesus prayed for them.
In the kingdom of grace we do not stand on our promises or prayers or even our faith. We stand because the One who saves us also keeps us to the end (1 Cor. 1:8).
You stand because Jesus is praying for you.
Question of the week: What are the different ministry roles in the church?
Word of the week: Spirit and soul
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Glory!
Wow. Thank you for this one. It was just what I needed today. I’ve been struggling these last few weeks with unbeareble pain in my body. I am so exhausted from dealing with it. Even though I’ve learned that God is not behind my pain and wants me well I just think it’s hard that the pain is still there. And it’s been difficult to believe that God exist when healing is not happening. This post just gave me hope and reminded me that God loves me and prays for me and is working behind the scenes turning all of Satans “distractions” into good for me. I know that jerk is behind my pain and I know I will see healing eventually!