Here we learn that Satan directly attacks followers of Jesus. When you read this in the NLT you see that sifting is simply an attempt to turn the disciple from Jesus. This has always been the enemies goal and will always be!
Prayer from our Lord was the cure. It did not remove all of Peter's struggle but notice "when you have returned to Me." Just because we prayed for someone yet they still fell away - the war is not over. The Lord heard our prayer - he will finish what he started in that person (Philippians 1:6)
If Jesus prayed for Peter's strength and his prayer was answered by seeing Peter fall yet come back - we should see that will happen with our prayers at times .
v. 33 We also see we can be full of confidence and empty of faith. Faith is being SURE of what we hope for and also hoping in the right thing! Peter was ready to die with Jesus if it meant getting famous in the process but to die an outlaw - he fled.
v. 34 Jesus knows our failures before we fail. Yet do we see him chide Peter here. No he simply is preparing him to know that his love is unconditional. Are you beating yourself up for something you did. Jesus isn't! He hates sin but he also hates our lack of ability to forgive ourself when he has removed our sin as far as the east is from the west. Most of us are more more tough on ourselves than the Lord.
questions
1) How might the enemy being trying to sift you now? What if anything in your life is testing your faith?
2) Would your faith survive a total surprise by the Lord?
prayer
Lord increase our faith!
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