“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31–32)
Four important points can be taken from the Lord’s words to Peter:
- He revealed Satan’s intention to
- He told him that He had prayed for him, that his faith would not fail.
- He was sure that His prayer would be answered and that Peter would repent.
- He asked Peter to strengthen his brothers after his
The Lord Jesus did not ‘let Peter play right into Satan’s hands.’ Before the temptation came, He warned him of the enemy’s intentions. In Job we learn that everything that happens in our lives has a prior history in heaven (see Job 1). Nothing happens without God’s permission! God is faithful and watches that the enemy does not do anything to us that we cannot bear (see 1 Cor. 10:13)!
Satan’s aim was to sift the disciples as wheat is sifted after the harvest—whereby the wheat is sieved for a long time, until all the debris, such as stones, is removed. Satan wanted to really shake their life of faith to see what was left of it. With Peter, he allowed this because he had to learn an important but painful lesson.
We are very quick to condemn Peter for his self-confidence. But what is actually going on in our own lives? Hardly anyone will freely admit that he thinks he can follow the Lord in his own strength. But in practice, don’t we often act as if we can?
What have you put your trust in: your mind and natural ability, or the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit? How much do you trust in financial security from unjust mammon and how much
in God’s rock-solid promises? Have you ever asked yourself these questions sincerely before the Lord? David writes in Psalm 62:5, “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.” A great blessing awaits those with this attitude!
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