Facing Lions: Luke 22:31-24
““31) Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32) but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33) But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” And 34) He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”” Luke 22:31-34
Satan walks about as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour, but this was different. Satan demanded permission to sift Peter like wheat. He wanted to reduce him to chaff and destroy him.
But notice that Jesus was aware of the battle and was interceding for Peter. As He was enduring His own battle, Jesus was praying for Peter. According to Romans 8:27, He prays for us as well!
Trials and testing will come, but they need not destroy us. Even our failures can become training ground for future success. Trails can purity our faith.
Peter was sifted and denied Jesus three times. His good intentions were no match for the enemy of the soul, but through it he came to the end of himself. After Pentecost Peter became a radically different man.
According to 1 Peter 1:6-7, Peter gained valuable insights into turning trials and failure into stepping stones for future lion encounters. The trial Satan designed to discourage and destroy him actually built him into a much stronger man. It exposed his shallow love for Jesus, but ultimately built his faith. (See John 21:15-23)
Peter emerged as a courageous lion fighter. 1 Peter 5:6-10 tells the story. He learned how to stay humble, discern the attacks of the devil and resist him firm in his faith. James 4:7 adds “submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
The early Christians learned how to put the enemy to flight. Satan only wins when we are fearful, feeble, prideful and self reliant. Learning how to stand in the finished work of Christ, His name, His authority, and the power of the Holy Spirit always causes the roaring lion to turn tail and flee. Unfortunately, these are lessons learned in the lions den.
Jesus could not teach Peter this lesson, he had to learn it the hard way. Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith to become strong, but he had to face the roaring lion for himself. Peter failed, denied that he knew Jesus three times and got scratched up pretty bad, but it wasn’t over for him. Jesus sought him out and gave him a second chance. (Read all of John 21)
When Peter learned his lessons, God used him to strengthen many others. His failure became his greatest class on facing roaring lions. His Epistles are priceless for lessons on resisting the adversary firm in your faith.
Peter was never a victim again! From Pentecost onward he won every battle the lion through at him. (Study 2 Peter 1:2-11 for lessons on standing strong without stumbling)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
““31) Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32) but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33) But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” And 34) He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”” Luke 22:31-34
Satan walks about as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour, but this was different. Satan demanded permission to sift Peter like wheat. He wanted to reduce him to chaff and destroy him.
But notice that Jesus was aware of the battle and was interceding for Peter. As He was enduring His own battle, Jesus was praying for Peter. According to Romans 8:27, He prays for us as well!
Trials and testing will come, but they need not destroy us. Even our failures can become training ground for future success. Trails can purity our faith.
Peter was sifted and denied Jesus three times. His good intentions were no match for the enemy of the soul, but through it he came to the end of himself. After Pentecost Peter became a radically different man.
According to 1 Peter 1:6-7, Peter gained valuable insights into turning trials and failure into stepping stones for future lion encounters. The trial Satan designed to discourage and destroy him actually built him into a much stronger man. It exposed his shallow love for Jesus, but ultimately built his faith. (See John 21:15-23)
Peter emerged as a courageous lion fighter. 1 Peter 5:6-10 tells the story. He learned how to stay humble, discern the attacks of the devil and resist him firm in his faith. James 4:7 adds “submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
The early Christians learned how to put the enemy to flight. Satan only wins when we are fearful, feeble, prideful and self reliant. Learning how to stand in the finished work of Christ, His name, His authority, and the power of the Holy Spirit always causes the roaring lion to turn tail and flee. Unfortunately, these are lessons learned in the lions den.
Jesus could not teach Peter this lesson, he had to learn it the hard way. Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith to become strong, but he had to face the roaring lion for himself. Peter failed, denied that he knew Jesus three times and got scratched up pretty bad, but it wasn’t over for him. Jesus sought him out and gave him a second chance. (Read all of John 21)
When Peter learned his lessons, God used him to strengthen many others. His failure became his greatest class on facing roaring lions. His Epistles are priceless for lessons on resisting the adversary firm in your faith.
Peter was never a victim again! From Pentecost onward he won every battle the lion through at him. (Study 2 Peter 1:2-11 for lessons on standing strong without stumbling)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
