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: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. - Luke 22:31-32 Peter was consided to be the chief disciples of Jesus Christ. Before joining Jesus he was called as Simon. When Andrea, the brother of Simon, brought Simon to Jesus, Jesus named him as Cephas. The Greek word Cephas means rock, which in turn is noted as Peter. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.(Jn 1:42). Peter followed Jesus Christ with intense devotion and love. He was prepared to do anything for Christ. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.(Lk 22:33). Satan requested permission to tempt Peter who is so ardently loved Jesus and willingly prepared to do anything for Him. In the Old Testament we find the similar situation in the life of Job. Satan obtained permission to rebuke Job. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.(Job 1:8-12). Beloved God does not rebuke you. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.(James 1:13-14). How ever he permits to test your truthfulness and faithfulness to him. So do not be perturbed when you face with problems and sufferings because no problem or suffering Satan can bring to you with out the prior permission of God. We see here Jesus Christ assuring Peter that He will pray for him. Because Peter does not know that he will be rebuke by Satan. Jesus always intercedes for you through his prayers to the Father. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.(Rom 8:26). My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (1Jn 2:1). Jesus asked Peter to follow him to the garden of Gethsemane to pray for him. Instead of prayer Peter was found to be in deep sleep. And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.(Lk 22:46). When Peter was tested he was sleeping instead of praying. This reflects his weakness. Weakness is the trickery of Satan to tempt you through trials and tribulations. This weakness causes us to betray our God. But Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, prayed for Peter. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.(Lk 22:44). The God you worship is all powerful to help you in your trials and sufferings. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.(Heb 2:18). When Satan obtains permission form Jesus to sift Peter like wheat, Jesus prayed for him with earnestness. That is why even though Peter denied Jesus, he cried with bitterness for his shameful deed and return to Christ. Jesus prayed for peter in those days. The same Jesus intercedes for you today. Because of that you shall be firm in your faith and gain victory over Satan. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. - Hebrews 7:25
Posted on: Wed, 05 Jun 2013 02:04:04 +0000
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