Verse of the Day 1/29

Verse of the Day 1/29

Luke 22:31-32   "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. ³² But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." 

New International Version (NIV)

It is approaching a year now since the pandemic hit us.  Many have suffered illness, loss of those close to them, suffered job loss or had to manage on reduced income or have had to remain "sheltered in place" for an extended period of time.  Some of you reading this may feel as if you had been through the sifter, "sifted like wheat" as the verse goes.  In times like these ones faith can be shaken to the core.  But Jesus knows all about our situation just like He did Peter's.  Jesus encouraged him subtly "when you have turned back", meaning that there would be an end to his struggles.

John Piper writes, "Jesus said to Peter, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:31–32)....Not if you return. But when you return. I have prayed for you! You will return. And when you do, it will be my sovereign grace that brought you back from the precipice of apostasy."

If you feel that you have been put through the sifter or ringer these words apply to you as they have to many through the ages.  Jeremiah, "the weeping prophet" knew something about these feelings and the book of Lamentations is five chapters mostly of lament.  However, towards the end of that book he writes,

Lamentations 5:21 Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored!  Renew our days as of old—   English Standard Version (ESV)

Many of us may be looking and praying for a return to "normalcy", our own "days of old".  But if need Him today don't be afraid to "Cry Out to Jesus" and encourage and strengthen your "brothers" to do so as well.

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
When you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
And love for the broken heart
And there is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus
Cry out to Jesus          (Cry Out to Jesus - Third Day)

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Luke 22:31-34 New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial

^31 [a]And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. ³² But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

³³ But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death."

³⁴ Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."