Tag: hope

Satan Sifting

“Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat.” Luke 22:31

After Jesus’ final passover meal, he turns to Simon Peter telling him of Satan’s demand. So I think Satan sifting must have led to Peter’s denials.

But am I right? What does this mean?

FIRST. Satan needs permission to do his evil deeds. He may “demand,” but God is supreme and decides if permission is given or not.

SECOND. The sifting that would be happening was not just of Peter, but to the other apostles. We know this because the word “you” is a plural noun, (y’all). It could be that Satan was hoping to show that these men were like chaff and when sifted they would scatter in the wind. And it would seem Satan had success because Peter did go out and deny that he knew Jesus and the other apostles scattered after Jesus’ arrest in the garden.

“but I have prayed for you” Luke 22:32

Satan again under estimated Jesus and the power of prayer. Jesus, knowing full well what was about to happen prayed for Peter.

FIRST. He prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail. Yes, Peter’s denials were wrong, but after he realized what he had done, he went out and wept bitterly, showing how heartbroken he was over what he had done.

SECOND. Jesus went on to pray for Peter to strengthen his brothers. Knowing this broken Peter would turn back to faith, Jesus wanted him to help others who would be struggling with their faith.

Is Satan sifting still?

Yes, he is. What can we do?

We need to take Peter’s instruction to heart…

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

1 Peter 5:8-10

“I am praying for them.” John 17:9

FINALLY. know this…Jesus is praying for us who believe and have come to know the truth. This does not mean we will not sin (as Peter did by denying Jesus) but that we can turn back, live a strong faith and help strengthen others around us.

So that…I will tell

Do you ever remember when you were too excited to wait…to wait for what is best?

When I was a child I never liked to wait.  No I was in too big a hurry to wait for mom.  We were at a swimming pool, one I had never been to before and I could not wait to go swim.  I should have waited, but I hurried out of the women’s changing area and started down the steps on the side of the pool.  Too late I realized I was not in the “kiddie” section.  I remember going down…down…and pushing up and gasping for air and trying to yell for help.  The next thing I remember water was gushing out my mouth and I was coughing, as I regained conscienceness.

Why?  Why didn’t I wait…why didn’t God stop me?

Or better question…why did God save me?

When bad things happen we tend to question…why???  We should ask why for the good, as well as, the bad.  Why has God allowed this to happen?  Is it for my sake only…for my personal benefit or is there more…a greater reason?  Has God allowed both the good and the bad in my life…

…so that I will recognize His sovereignty and praise Him?

…so that I will recognize His provision and thank Him?

…so that I will tell others of God’s work and bring glory to Him?

…But tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,

And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.

That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born,

That they may arise and tell them to their children,

That they should put their confidence in God

And not forget the works of God,

But keep His commandments

 Psalm 78:4,6,7