“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
~Luke 22:31-32
Here is richness!
First, that Satan must demand permission to sift Simon. He cannot test the Lord's children without His permission.
Second, that Jesus has prayed for Simon--and so He does for all of His people who will be tested. They will pass the test because He has prayed for them.
Third, that Jesus says, “when you turn again”--not, “if you turn again.” It is certain that Simon will turn again. The Lord brings all His children back after they fall.
Fourth, that we can be helped by those who have been tested before us; and after our testing, we can help our brethren.
Fifth, that Simon Peter became one of the most prominent men in the early Church. Perhaps Satan saw his potential, and wanted to bring him down. So then, testing does not mean you are unworthy, but rather the opposite: your Father has deemed you worthy to take this test. Remember Job: the Lord asked Satan if he had considered him, and then allowed him to afflict him, for the purpose of showing Satan that Job would not curse Him. The Lord allowed Satan to sift Peter, in order to show Satan that Peter's faith would not fail. If you feel yourself being sifted, it may be simply because the Lord wants to prove Himself able to keep you.
Sixth, it awakens in me a fresh awareness of the need to pray for my Church's leaders. Surely Satan wants to sift them as well. Yes, Jesus intercedes for them above; but what prevents me from interceding for them below?
