4/25/21

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." (Luke 22:31-32)
Just a quick background check, in Job 1-2, Satan has come before God, as he was summoned to do so.
God boasts of Job, speaking of Job's faithfulness unto Him.
Satan accuses Job, saying that he was faithful because God had been so good to him and had "hedged him in". Satan continues, saying that, if God were to let him have Job, he would turn against Him.
Now, let's look at Peter.
Jesus informs Simon Peter, "...Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:..." (v. 31)
Remember what the name "Satan", means? "Accuser"! The Accuser is making accusations against Peter! Satan says:
1) "Lord, you know he is no good!"
2) "Lord, you know he is weak!"
3) "Lord, you know he is not worth dying for!"
4) "Lord, let me have him, and he will deny he ever knew you!"
5) "Lord, he ,nor anyone else, is worth the salt in their bread!"
You and I, as believers, must never forget the "Accuser" exists, and is constantly taunting God about us. We need to be strong! We need to be ever faithful! Or the "Accuser" will prevail in his taunts, and "name-calling"!
Jesus told Peter, "Satan wants to "shake you up"! "He wants to "rock your world"! "Satan wants to "sift you as wheat"!
When you are being "shook-up", and your world is being "rocked" to the point of falling apart, remember the "Accuser"! He is "sifting" you!
You have not been FORSAKEN! You are being "proven", and "tempered by fire"!
Jesus said to Peter, "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not:..." (v. 32) The Lord could have told Satan, "No! You leave him alone!" But He did not.
Although the Lord fights many of our battles, it is apparent that we must fight some of them, too.
But, never forget, the Lord is always in our corner!
Jesus also told Peter, when this test has passed, I have a plan for you. "...and when thou art converted (turned back again), strengthen thy brethren." (v. 32) "After you have fallen, get back up again, Peter."
Just because we fail, or fall, doesn't mean we are done! We are to repent, and get back up! Then stand as tall as we can for our Savior, who has redeemed us, forgiven us, and loved us. He is worthy of our best efforts.
You know that Peter did fall, that night. Jesus knew that he would! Yet, He loved Peter, despite his short-comings, and used Peter to bring the Gospel to a lost and dying world!
Satan has desired to have you and I! Perhaps we will fall, because of it. But. we are never forsaken! And, we must get back up, clean ourselves up, and move forward for Jesus!
That is God's grace!
From my heart to your heart.