Yesterday my second chapter of the day was Luke 22, where the following verses stuck with me:
Luke 22:31-32 [HCSB] – ““Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.””
This was at the Passover dinner they were having. Their last night, their last meal with Jesus. We’ve read in the Bible before how Satan asks before he does or acts. Or how he is allowed to do or to act. He asks for permission before he actually does it. Like in Job I remember..
Job 1:9-12 [HCSB] – “Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven’t You placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” “Very well,” the Lord told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, you must not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.”
Satan considers and asks and God allows him. This time Satan asked to sift Peter, or Simon for that minute as Jesus said, like wheat. Satan will be allowed. But. The big BUT, is that Jesus follows by saying “But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” How beautiful is that? Jesus prayed for him. Jesus prays for us today too. He roots for us. He is on our side. He knows we’ll go through struggles and He knows when we’re going through hardship. And He is there when we are. Rooting for us, praying for us, strengthening us.
“And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
After we’ve been through whatever it is we were going through, we should pay the prayer forth. We have made it through, so we can now also be there for others. When we’re back with Jesus or when we’re now stronger with Jesus, whatever you went through, it has been an experience, a lesson and a testimony. Which could be an example to someone else. An encouragement to someone else that they are not alone or that they are not the only one going through this. Not just that, but that it’s possible to survive from this. That you can come out stronger on the other side. Strengthen your brothers and sisters and show them they are not going through this on their own. They are not alone. It’s both you and Jesus rooting them on.
Who are you praying for today?
Tashmness. 