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Satan – be careful what you wish for!
I can almost see the scene playing out like a movie. The music starts to build as the camera, which has been capturing a group scene, zooms in closely on Jesus and Simon Peter. This is a huge night for Jesus and I imagine some of the emotion he is feeling can’t help but spill out as he shifts focus from the disciples as a group, to Peter. I can almost feel Peter’s heart pounding as he takes in the weight and intensity of his teacher’s words. In his own way, I think he knows that this is an important moment.
Sifting is the process of putting wheat through a sieve and shaking it until the chaff surfaces. The purpose is to separate the grain, which can then be ground into meal and baked into bread. Satan’s purpose in sifting is to make us a mockery by proving that we are all chaff and no grain. Thankfully, Jesus knows better!
In her book, Jesus the One and Only, Beth Moore says that when Satan asked to sift Peter (which is another great point about the limits of Satan’s power!), that Jesus knew Peter would turn back. Jesus says, “…and when you have turned back”. Not if, but when! Beth describes us as books that Satan can only read from the outside. “Satan observed Peter’s overconfidence and propensity toward pride. …but Christ knew Peter’s heart. He knew that underneath Peter’s puffed up exterior was a man with a genuine heart for God. … He would be back – a revised edition with a new [book] jacket.”
Peter’s sifting proved to be exactly what he needed to be transformed from an egocentric hot head to a humble, compassionate, servant of Christ. “I wouldn’t wish a sifting on a single soul, but if that’s what a life of harvest requires, may God use it so thoroughly that the enemy ends up being sorry he ever asked permission”!
Thank you Jamie for your words. I especially loved the end, “I wouldn’t wish a sifting on a single soul, but if that’s what a life of harvest requires, may God use it so thoroughly that the enemy ends up beings sorry he ever asked permission!!!!!”
it’s very interesting to read I Peter… after Peter had been sifted. He’s such an encouraging leader.
I want to be like that… but I do not like the sifting!!
thanks Jaime.
blessings
Jamie, your thought on Peter’s sifting made me think of a topic that come up in our group on Sunday night. We were discussing whether the 12 fully grasped all that Jesus was laying on them at that moment. It occurred to me that what Jesus was telling them at that moment was not necessarily for them to fully grasp… in that moment. AND it was not exclusively for them. It was for us, as “flies-on-the-wall” future readers of the Word. This thought was confirmed for me again in 1 Peter 1:12
“It was revealed to them (the prophets) that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.”
I guess what I’m thinking is that us 21st century followers can be thankful for the sifting of those who have come before us. It was for God’s glory and our benefit. AND when we ourselves are sifted we can be assured that it is by permission from our Lord and that it can serve Jesus and his bride for years to come. Maybe that perspective will take the hard edge off the sifter. Even still… I’m with Alan, I don’t much like it. Thanks.
Jaime: Your description takes my breath away, because I did experience once such rather dramatic sifting fairly recently—and even to remember it raises the hairs on the back of my neck. And yes, Peter’s example was my model and my life-line, and suddenly, in one instant, I knew what was happening, admitted it, and cried out to the Lord to rescue me. I so much like this feature that Alan has instituted for us all to get to know each and be encouraged by each other. I’ve been encouraged…thank you…and bless you…Caroline
Jamie,
Do you have any idea how long this sifting went on with Peter or the trial of Job. I have been enduring a trial of some type for 7 years this past Sept. It hasnt let up, it has gotten worse. I have lost about 3/4th of my hair in the past couple of weeks, my face shape, skin coloring, body features and everything have been turned upside down. I dont know what to make of my issues nor does anyone in our church. I spend much of time crying. I have lost my home, my dear Mother 2 years ago, our business which was our means of support. We rented a house from a minister who kicked us out kept our escrow and last months rent.
It seems as if everyone is against us, as if evil is being sent to us. My husband at the biginning of it had 6 stints put in his heart, 3 months later 6 bipass surgery, 3 months later he had a massive stroke and I was told he wasnt going to live to bring my children home for a funeral. While he was in the hospital, I total my car on the way home the first night, the next day or two the roof started leaking and it was a new roof, I found out my husband had tax issues, issues kept coming for a couple a weeks for about every day. My minister said if he didnt know me he would think I was making it up. We started laughing and it stopped for a while but then we had a couple years trying to recover from the stroke. When my husband came out of the coma he was blind and totally paralyzed on one side. God spared his life, he has no limp or defceit when he walks and the Dr. by Gods hand made him able to see around a blind spot that didnt go away and now I dont think he has it . I dont understand, it makes you wonder what you have done to deserve this but most of all I want to have a normal life again. I has a tendency with satan bearing down on you all the time to make you feel defensive and he is always pushing that the Lord doesnt love you. I I am having bizzare pain in my shoulder this morning after trying to war with the evil one last night. In reading the word last night on line about deliverance a minister said we shouldnt rebuke satan when he is pounding on us or telling us lies. I dont understand how to overcome.
Pattie
best article I read about this yet!