| Reading: Luke 22:31-46 |
Jesus told Peter, “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat” (31).
I don’t know what all that means. But I do know it doesn’t mean anything good.
As I read that, the thought impressed itself into my heart that Satan desires to have and sift my family (me included).
I was challenged and encouraged and comforted by what Jesus told Peter next:
“But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (32).
As I shake under the devil’s sifting efforts, sometimes it seems like I can barely hang on any longer. I’m so glad for God’s reminder of Jesus’ work for me. I know verse 32 is Jesus speaking to Peter, but other New Testament verses make similar promises for me.
Mine! I claim them for me!
That said, something else really strikes me from these two verses: I must pray for my family, that their faith fail not. Satan is attacking and will continue attacking them.
In my own sifting and struggling and hurting, I remain the husband and father in this family. I cannot be careless or forgetful in resisting the devil and his work against them.
But I must hang to verses 32 and 43.
![[Pray, lest ye enter into temptation (Luke 22:46)]](/pantinghart/wp-content/praylest-b.jpg)
from Luke 22:46
A little bit more from Luke 22: Ministering Spirit
Thank you for these challenging thoughts. Luke 22:43 is so wonderful in our never ending busy life. We run a bakery here in south Ga. and over Christmas it is always difficult to be at peace inside when we are running to fill orders and meet customer demand – which is often impossible.
We close every January to clean and reorganize.
God is so good. Often He meets my need before I know to ask, then I look back and say, “wow, what a good plan!”. Bless you in your ministry. Anna Marie Nissley