“…Indeed, satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you… when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” – Luke 22:31-32
REFERENCE:
God has a plan for every season or experience you may find yourself in; to use it to strengthen the brethren. It may be bereavement, betrayal, or backsliding (as in our text), yet, God would use it as a tool of help and hope for many. This outlook is what God wants us to have towards our wilderness seasons. No matter how painful, God will bring something to eat out of the eater.
Peter was in the devil’s sniper scope; he had his eyes on him to trip him to fall. For whatever reason, God would permit it to happen as He does in unfavorable situations. However, Jesus told Peter that He had prayed for him, so he would survive satan’s sifting and come out stronger on the other side. It wasn’t going to be Peter’s end.
This is a message of hope to every believer who may be going through a ‘sifting’ period. Money is low, and a crisis has hit your family; you are dealing with a child doing poorly in school, nursing a loved one in the hospital, or behind on paying for your essential bills as the breadwinner. Jesus is praying for you; you will ‘return’ or turn out better. Know this and know peace!
In all your afflictions or troubles, God has your return in mind. The reason is to enjoy victory and, more importantly, to strengthen the brethren. God wants your testimony and story to help, build, comfort, encourage, and motivate someone. A fire of ‘passion for God’ often burns in your spirit when you have experienced the fire of affliction. That is the fire God needs to set your world on fire, and you forge it only in the fires of affliction.
Change how you look at what you recently suffered; God allowed it so you can empathize with others. If you are going through a sore season, Jesus is interceding for you; you will come out, and when you do, let it strengthen the brethren. Jesus said, “He who has been forgiven much loves much.” That was the case with Peter; upon his return from satan’s sifting, he became a pillar in the church. Turn that thing the devil meant to hurt you around; let it build someone.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
II Corinthians 1:3-6, I Thessalonians 5:11, and I Corinthians 10:13
CALL TO ACTION
Journal some of the things you have been through, which God brought you out from, and let them encourage your heart. Then, write ways to turn them into tools to help comfort others; this could be a testimony, training, counseling course, sermon, book, song, social media engagement, vlog, etc.
