◄ What Does Luke 22:31 Mean? ►

"Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has asked permission to sift all of you like wheat,

Luke 22:31(ISV)

Verse of the Day

There is so much comfort in these words for all believers and much to learn as well. Job, Paul, and Simon Peter are all examples of men that Satan sought to sift as wheat, but the enemy does not have carte blanche authority to 'sift' or harm any believer he wants to whenever he wants to.

Satan must seek permission from God if he is going to try your faith or mine, or indeed the faith or any particular believer by inflicting trials and tribulation, such as he did with "My servant Job." But there is nothing that Satan can do to any of us without God's express permission, and when we are His children, we also know that all things that happen to us will be used for our benefit as well as God's glory, even if at the time the trial is happening, it is painful or we have no idea why something catastrophic is happening.

The tactics of Satan are evil, and he seems to try to attack each of us at our main point of vulnerability. This was certainly true in the case of Job, Paul, and Simon Peter, and it seems that in each of these three cases it was akin to an inflated self-worth, but was used by God to keep each of His servants in a position of humble obedience and utter dependence upon Him. And we can be confident that God knows what is best for each of us, and humble obedience and utter dependence on Him blossoms into an enriched spiritual life and a closer walk with God.

We have an omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God Who has undertaken to guard and guide us in all things and in every eventuality. He has promised that nothing will snatch us out of His hand and that we are eternally sealed and secure in Christ.

Peter was warned of the upcoming ordeal, but Job was not forewarned of His trials - and although we know that at times the enemy will seek to sift all of us who are living godly in Christ Jesus, never forget that God not only knows all about it but has also permitted it for a reason.

God in His grace permits the trials and difficulties of life to act for our eternal benefit and for the glory of His name. And not only that, but we have a heavenly intercessor that prays for us that our faith will not fail.

My Prayer

Loving Father, guard me and guide me in life, and keep me from the assails of the evil one. But when the attacks of Satan do come, I just want to say, Lord, that I trust my life into Your hands because I know that You will work all things together for my eternal benefit and to the glory of Your name. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.