“A Test of Your Faith”
by Dianne Prince
“And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Luke 22:31-32, NKJV).
In our scripture this morning, Jesus told His disciples He would die at the hands of those who had rejected Him and that Judas would betray Him. He told them that He would be denied by Peter three times, and that all the disciples would desert Him at the hour He needed them most. Jesus went on the tell the disciples that the devil would work to sift them like wheat and for the rest of their natural life, the devil would always be at work against them all.
As Jesus revealed to His disciples the things that would happen to Him and to them, they became discouraged. To lift their spirits and to provide them hope, Jesus gave the disciples a promise to hold on to. He told them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled…..I am going to prepare a place for you and I will come back to get you and take you with me.” (John 14:1-3) Jesus went on to tell them, “I have prayed for you.”
The devil will try his best to separate all of us from Jesus, like chaff is separated from wheat (a violent process). Thus, adversity is sometimes violent, sometimes brutal, sometimes ferocious, and sometimes evil. But Jesus says, “I have prayed for you.” Jesus prayed in particular for us not to give in to the severe attacks of the enemy. And He prayed for us not to give out during our time of intense testing.
Your reminder for today is this: The same promise Jesus gave His disciples is the same promise He has given you. He promised you that He has gone away to prepare a place for you. He is coming back to get you. And whatever discomfort you experience in this life is the enemy’s way of trying to sift you as wheat. It is only a test of your faith. A test, as painful as it may be, is a temporary condition. And God’s desire is for you to pass the test. Therefore, when unexpected and unpleasant circumstances happen in your life, do not let the devil steal your faith. Do not allow the pressures of life to drain your zeal for living. And do not permit the issues of life to deter you from doing good deeds for other people. Instead, stand firm and hold your ground so your faith will not waver. And keep in mind that Jesus is right there by your side to keep you strong so you can go through and in turn strengthen those around you who are also going through.
