Ruminating in the Word of God: On being "sifted".

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 22:31-32,

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed
for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned
back, strengthen your brothers."

This is the fascinating account of Jesus' foretelling of Peter's
betrayal of him. Peter [Simon] protests with, "Lord, I am ready to go
with you to prison and to death." Yet, we read later in the chapter of
Peter's betrayal in accordance with how Jesus said it would take
place. Afterward, when Jesus had "turned and looked straight at
Peter", Peter went outside and "wept bitterly" over it. In John's
gospel we read of Peter's eventual "reinstatement" following the
Lord's resurrection at the end of a miraculous catch of fish.

I note Satan's intention of destroying Peter. Peter was a follower of
the Lord and the first disciple to acknowledge just who Jesus Christ
was: "the Christ of God." Luke 9:20. Satan desired to destroy Peter
and my perspective is that he had to go to God the Father to ask to do
so, "Satan has asked to sift you as wheat". No doubt Satan presented
to God an indictment of all Peter's shortcomings and faults and
attempted to exploit God's sense of justice to get permission to do
so. Apparently he needed God's permission, otherwise, why ask? It
brings to mind Peter's own observation in his concern for all
believers, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls
around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter
5:8. He tells his readers that other believers throughout the world
were undergoing "the same kind of sufferings." Here is something we
may find in our own lives, something best to consider for ourselves.
Believers will be in the devil's cross-hairs. Especially those who are
a threat to Satan's agenda.

I also note that Jesus prayed for Peter. He went before his father on
Peter's behalf. This secured Peter's outcome of becoming a wonderful
and great man in the early church. Satan wanted to destroy Peter, the
Lord interceded, and although Peter was not kept from Satan's
"sifting", the end result was a stronger man that became a greater
opponent to Satan's agenda. As we read of Peter in the book of Acts
and in his letters we find Peter strong and vibrant, a great force in
the spread of the gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and throughout
the world.

This brings to mind a comment of Paul, "Who will bring any charge
against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he
that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died —more than that, who was raised
to life —is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
Romans 8:33-34. Here we see indictments still being brought against
believers, no doubt based on accurate information concerning our
weaknesses and shortcomings, and the Lord interceding for us. Jesus
Christ, now in heaven at the right hand of the Father speaks to him on
our behalf! What we see with Peter still takes place today! And, what
is the outcome of this for us today? Just what Paul had to say in
introducing this, "We know that in all things God works for the good
of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the
likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many
brothers." The outcome of suffering, "trouble or hardship or
persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword" is that we are
taken through a spiritual maturing process just as Peter was.

I am entirely convinced that this is the very nature of things for
each one of us believers here today. Imagine... Jesus Christ speaks to
God the father specifically for you and the end result is
transformation! This is a dynamic we all share in!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com