I finished my study in I Peter recently and was so taken back with some things I learned. I've had to sit back and really think about how to share them.
I Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
I think we all know and agree that we have an adversary. We're aware of his deceit, his subtleness and lies. But the apostle Peter had an encounter with the devil that causes him to urgently encourage us to be on the alert!
My study took me back to Luke 22:31,32 where the Lord says to Peter "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." This verse says that Satan asked (the word implies demanded) to have Peter for the purpose of sifting. Does this remind you of another passage? Yes, Job went through a refining process too.
What struck me was that the Lord allowed Satan to sift both Peter and Job. The Lord tells us of several processes He uses to shape or conform us. But this one I hadn't given much thought to. The potter uses pressure within and without while the clay is spinning on a wheel. I think I have felt this conforming process many times! Then, there is the intense heat that causes impurities to rise from metals so they can be removed, thus purifying and making the metal beautiful. This too I seem to have felt at times. But now to think that there are, or may be times when the Lord allows Satan to sift me or those I love is a little much!
My comfort comes in knowing that Satan has to ask for the right to sift and even then it's within the boundaries the Lord sets forth. The Lord Himself prays for us that our faith would not fail. Thereby insuring that this testing is only for a time and with a purpose of simply sifting. Not destroying, not rendering useless; but making us finer, more suitable for a - shall we say - lighter cake?
"And when you return, strengthen your brethren" This is important too! Not only should this sifting affect us, but it should affect others that we meet from then on! It should cause me to open up and share more, or to be more bold with each opportunity the Lord gives.
I look around and somehow think that there is more sifting going on than I ever imagined. Sifting of my fellow saints, family and friends. The Lord alone is wise enough to know just when and how much.
"Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator." 1 Peter 4:19
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5 comments:
thank you, marti. this ministered to me very much.
Thank you Marti for posting this. Its a great encouragement and reminder.
That was so encouraging! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Marti, for these words of encouragement! There are so many ways that our character is improved, refined and changed...through sifting, through fire, through the molding of the Potters hand. These are never comfortable or easy processes, are they?
Thank you for this incredible reminder of God's loving ways.
The Lord is sitting praying for us. What a powerful reminder that we are never alone. Never left to deal with things in our own strength unless we choose to not use the Lord's strength. I love that it takes heat, and major sifting to refine.... it is not an easy process but if it were would it really change us?
Not me.... I am far to stubborn. The Lord must bring us to the end and then change us. Purify us. Praise Him.
Thanks Marti this is definately what I needed this morning.
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