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The Lord said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have all of you, that he might sift you as wheat, but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn't fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers." He said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!" He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times." Luke 22:31-34 WEB.

The Apostle Peter boldly told Jesus that he was ready to go to prison and die with Him if needed. Jesus responded and told Peter that satan had already asked to test him, to sift him like wheat, to find out what was really inside of him.

When they ground wheat to make flour, they would sift it through a screen to separate the wheat from the impurities. Wine goes through a similar process to leave the sediment behind. This is what satan wanted to reveal in Peter, the impurities. One of Peter's biggest was fear. Peter was soon going to deny that he even knew Jesus three times because he was afraid. Peter wasn't there when Jesus was crucified or entombed because he was scared.

Jesus told Peter, "when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." So while Peter was talking, Jesus already knew that Peter was going to be tested for a season. And that Peter would fail. Jesus wanted Peter to get back up, continue on, and strengthen the others, even though he had failed the test.

During the sifting, things are shaking back and forth and being tossed about. To Peter, he must have felt his entire world was ending. Jesus, who he thought would eventually be King, was arrested and crucified. None of it made sense to Peter at that moment. The understanding came later.

Sometimes we are tested to reveal what is inside of us to ourselves. Peter didn't know how much fear was inside of him until after the test. Sifting strains out the bad and brings the hidden things into plain view.

Maybe in the past, you made a bold statement that you would serve God no matter what, then "the what" happened, and you failed. Get back up, keep going, and continue on God's path. Remember the "I'll never do that again!" but yet, it's so easy to do it again. Jesus knew what would happen before He called you and while you were telling Him about it. Yet, He called you just the same. He is not mad at you when you fail a test. We are all get sifted like wheat.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You today. You know what is best, and I choose to trust You with my life. Please strengthen me and make me steadfast. Draw my heart to You and light a fire within me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: For those interested, our Wednesday morning prayer service starts at 10:30am EST! This is a short service, about 15-20 minutes, where we pray together for any needs you bring forth. Hope to see y'all there! As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.