Keep the Faith!

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. We thank God for today, and how nothing catches Him by surprise, and how He always looks out for us. 

Primary Text

“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: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Luke 22v31-32 (KJV)

“Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from Me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.” Luke 22v31 (MSG)

“Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that he might sift [all of] you like grain, But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren.” Luke 22v31-32 (AMP)

I find it interesting that it was faith that Jesus prayed for Simon that would not fail. In a sense, when we go through trials, and testings, and afflictions, they may have different faces, but the devil wants to shake our faith in the Lord. Faith in God takes courage and boldness. When our faith fails, then we turn back from following the Lord. Even when we fall through the afflictions for example, or through the testing, the guilt can be so overwhelming that we do not want to come back. Imagine how Peter felt after he denied Christ? Again, see what happened with Judas… Don’t let the devil keep you from believing in the redemptive power of Jesus, the power of the Cross, and the love of God. Don’t give up beloved, resist the devil steadfast in faith. Ephesians 6v16 (KJV) says “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

Supplementary Texts

“Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised. For still a little while (a very little while), and the Coming One will come and He will not delay. But the just shall live by faith {My righteous servant shall live by his conviction respecting man’s relationship to God and diving things, and holy fervor born of faith and conjoined with it]; and if he draws back and shrinks in fear, My soul has no delight or pleasure in him. But our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery (perdition) and are utterly destroyed, but we are of those who believe [who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and by faith preserve the soul.” Hebrews 10v35-39 (AMP)

Prayer

Father, I thank You so much for Your Word. Lord, when the tests come, help me to stay anchored in You in Jesus name, amen.