Some time ago, the Lord brought me through another “time of growth” through His answer of “No” to a particular petition I had earnestly sought God for. He had mercifully shown me the good that, had my petition been granted I would have otherwise missed. What a blessed thing it is that the grace of God teaches us that our times and seasons, whatever these may bring, are in His hands.
At this same time, in my reading of Luke chapter 22 one morning, I was deeply struck by the words particularly at verse 31-34. I was so taken up by it – the awfulness, the power of it and comforting assurance of Lord Yeshua Himself, especially in the two words, “But I…” at verse 32. The passage says this:
31And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” 33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” 34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”
The context is the time of the final Passover before Lord Yeshua was crucified for our sins and three days later would rise from the dead, the night He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve chosen disciples.
This dark night of Peter’s soul, probably high among the most painful of his trials, if not the greatest, instigated by the malicious Satan, I came to see was akin to the malicious move against Job. As I pondered on the event, I wondered at the terrible power of Satan, though in no way comparable to the almighty power of Almighty God, at work here. Consider, Peter:
- who had heard and been moved by the words of Lord Yeshua and left all to follow Him (Luke 5:1-11);
- who saw the Lord’s healings (e.g. Matthew 15:30), the Lord’s miraculous provisions (e.g. Mark 8:1-10; Matthew 17:24-27), the power of the Lord over demons (e.g. Mark 5:1-16), over elements (e.g. Mark 4:35-41; Matthew 14:22-33);
- who heard the teachings and saw the response of those who believed in Him;
- who himself had been empowered by Yeshua and sent under the power of God to minister in the name of Yeshua and seen that power (e.g. Matthew 10:1-4);
- who had witnessed the transfiguration of the Lord Yeshua on the mountain-top and heard the voice of the Father in Heaven from Heaven (e.g. Matthew 17:1-8);
- who had witnessed Lord Yeshua raise a man who had been dead and buried four days back to life (John 11:1-45);
- who clearly deeply loved the Lord;
was not able to lean on these experiences by themselves as sufficient aid against the maliciousness of Satan arrayed against him. Moreover, the Lord Himself, whose word cannot fail, had told Peter that he would indeed deny Him. And he did. Three times! The first denial was not enough to stop/prevent the second and it was only after the third, the crow of that cockerel probably both bought him to a sharp realisation of what he had done even as the words of Yeshua came back to him. How bitter were those tears of regret, sorrow and no doubt shame. However, the Lord had already prepared grace to help Peter in this time of need – before the event, at the time of the event and afterwards too. I personally believe that the words, ‘And the Lord turned and looked at Peter’ (Luke 22:61) immediately at the third crowing of the rooster speak of Lord Yeshua’s deep compassion and concern for Peter at that awful moment. As often seems to be the case, it’s only afterwards this is clearly seen. What a lesson! This was such a precious gem, such a shaft of pure light from Heaven for my soul – part of God’s “module on trust” in teaching me about the living out of The Faith in Lord Yeshua the Messiah!
In the midst of such a testing of this faith which comes from God the Father, remember His promise to keep you – and look for the opportunity to use it to strengthen others in their need. Lord Yeshua said to Peter concerning his need then:
32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
How precious and powerful those two words – But I..” – are, because of Who it is who says them. Moreover what deep deep assurance there is in the “when” in the Lord’s words here! ‘When’ is good – it has the certainty which the word ‘if’ lacks, particularly in this context. As the Scriptures show, Peter did indeed ‘return’ to Lord Yeshua and does continue still to comfort countless brethren in The Faith as the Apostle of Lord Yeshua through his epistles. How precious, for example, is the word of God through Peter recorded at 1 Peter 1:5-9:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
Amen! Peter, through the Spirit of God, indeed speaks authoritatively – and knowingly.
Above all this, consider who it is that prays – intercedes – perfectly for us today. Lord Yeshua Himself! Two Scriptures which immediately came to mind at that thought were, Hebrews 7:25, which says:
‘Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.’
and, 1 John 2:1-2:
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.
And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
The word at Romans 8:34b also came to mind just after, which says:
‘It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.’
What deep deep comfort and assurance for us in Yeshua the Messiah from God! Yeshua prayed for us on Earth (note e.g. John 17) and He intercedes for us in Heaven.
Whatever we go through, whatever the severest of trials to our faith in Lord Yeshua, may we be enabled by grace through that faith to recall, retain and receive strength from those words, “But I have prayed for you.”
Amen. May God Himself bless you through Yeshua the Messiah our Lord.
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